Microsoft Helps Those Upgrade to Vista from a Legacy OS

Microsoft Helps Those Upgrade to Vista from a Legacy OS

Steven Parker on 20 July 2006 - 10:14 · 22 comments & 8810 views

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Microsoft launched a page that clearly explains how to upgrade your existing system in-place from a legacy Windows OS to any Windows Vista version; or, in the case of certain systems, whether you'll need to perform a completely clean installation. Certain legacy OS' require a full system installation while others will allow for an in-place upgrade. Depending on where you're coming from and where you're going, you should determine which scenario applies to you.

Link: Upgrade Planning for Windows Vista

News source: Activewin

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#1 b0m8er on 20 Jul 2006 - 10:28

good find! thanks

#2 Smigit on 20 Jul 2006 - 11:48

Regardless of how I get vista, if its for this pc of if I wait until I get my new one and buy an OEM copy I'll be doing a fresh install. Seems a safer route to me and may be marginally better performance wise as it'' get rid of alot of stuff that may be redundant after the install like some reg settings and such. Good excuse for some spring cleaning.

#3 AQUaDeX on 20 Jul 2006 - 12:34

So no upgrading for Windows 2000 users (especially corporate)?! What the hell...

#4 dmeags on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:04

Quote -

Notes:
If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required.

Does this mean what I think it does?

(1 reply) #5 Kushan on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:05

Quote -

If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required.

Huh?
Someone want to explain what this means?

#5.1 andyrole on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:08

If you are running either of those versions, you are eligible for the Upgrade Edition. However, a clean install is required.

(3 replies) #6 Phrosty23 on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:20

Then that's not much of an UPGRADE is it? Thus the confusion.

#6.1 PCyr on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:43

Yes it is. You can buy the less expensive upgrade version as opposed to the full version.

#6.2 Phrosty23 on 21 Jul 2006 - 13:41

Quote - PCyr said @ #6.1

Yes it is. You can buy the less expensive upgrade version as opposed to the full version.

but you aren't upgrading if you are forced into a clean install... yay for saving money, but booo for losing everything!

#6.3 briangw on 23 Jul 2006 - 23:08

Quote - Phrosty23 said @ #6.2

Quote - PCyr said @ #6.1

Yes it is. You can buy the less expensive upgrade version as opposed to the full version.

but you aren't upgrading if you are forced into a clean install... yay for saving money, but booo for losing everything!

You are upgrading. Somewhere in the install process, it will ask you for the x64 or 2000 CDs.

(6 replies) #7 lbmouse on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:42

Here they go loosely throwing around the term "legacy" again. I wouldn't call any system that has the specs required to run Vista a 'legacy' system. Legacy is something like the IBM 360, AS/400, or even RS/6000 series, not a PC made within the last 2 years. Then again, maybe I'm just getting old... *sigh* I miss my punch cards.

#7.1 markjensen on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:53

They are talking a "Legacy OS", not PC hardware.

That term would be clearly applied to any non-current OS release. So XP would be "legacy" as soon as Vista is RTMd.

#7.2 lbmouse on 20 Jul 2006 - 14:34

Sorry, didn't mean to cloud the issue with the hardware comparisons... substitute the natural OS's that ran on those platforms

.

Still not sure that I would consider a version of an OS 'legacy' just because the next version has gone gold. Maybe it's just a difference in time reference points/scale. To me legacy is something like CP/M when DOS was released or DOS when Win95/98 was released... a change in generations and not just versions. If you consider Vista a full generational leap over XP/2000/NT/9x, then I'll go with you.

#7.3 Shining Arcanine on 20 Jul 2006 - 17:23

Quote - markjensen said @ #7.1

They are talking a "Legacy OS", not PC hardware.

That term would be clearly applied to any non-current OS release. So XP would be "legacy" as soon as Vista is RTMd.

Here I thought that they legacy, they would be talking about Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 3.51 and NT 4.0 instead of Windows NT 5.0 and NT 5.1.

#7.4 MrCobra on 20 Jul 2006 - 20:06

Quote - lbmouse said @ #7

Then again, maybe I'm just getting old... *sigh* I miss my punch cards.

I have an Altair 8800 in the attic you play with.

#7.5 dangel on 21 Jul 2006 - 09:50

Quote - lbmouse said @ #7.2

If you consider Vista a full generational leap over XP/2000/NT/9x, then I'll go with you.

Yup Vista is - it's internally called Windows NT 6.0 which illustrates just that (XP was NT 5.1, 2000 5.0 by comparison). Under the covers it's pretty much all new..

#7.6 lbmouse on 21 Jul 2006 - 14:18

Then it *IS* just a new version and not a new generation. I'll save my legacy definition opinion for when they create a totally new OS. Then again, MS didn't even create MS-DOS... guess I'll be holding that opinion for a while

(1 reply) #8 styn...big wlmesser P on 20 Jul 2006 - 13:59

You can buy the upgrade version if you have Windows XP(Home) but you'll still be able to do a clean install through that purchase, right?

#8.1 Smigit on 20 Jul 2006 - 16:29

yes, although the installer may ask you to insert the xp cd or to plug in the serial code. Besides that it'll function the same as a non upgrade edition.

#9 loulinkj7 on 20 Jul 2006 - 14:25

Haha I think i'll wait till SP1 comes out for it before i get it. I'm not exactly to trusting of Vista for right now.

#10 styn...big wlmesser P on 20 Jul 2006 - 14:27

Vista's running fine over here!(Build 5384) Athough my webcam and my soundcard aren't compatible yet

#11 kylmcg on 20 Jul 2006 - 16:23

Exactly why I haven't installed it yet. M-audio has yet to release drivers for it.

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Microsoft Helps Those Upgrade to Vista from a Legacy OS

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