WAU & Windows 7

Hi,

Do you know why Windows 7 won't allow to use the Windows Anytime Upgrade feature when the current OEM version has not been activated? In my case it's Starter to Professional.
Since one has a new code allowing an upgrade to a higher version within the same operating system that new code could be the one that gets activated.

 

I was just wondering why theoretically it is required to have a lower Win7 edition activated at first.

 

Well, think about it. The upgrades are considerably cheaper than if you purchased a full version at the store. My guess is that MS wants to know that you already own a version of the OS you are upgrading. If you don't, you don't qualify for the upgrade. Only way for them to know that you own the Windows you are upgrading is if it's activated.

If you could use Anytime Upgrade without activating the OS you have, you could just borrow a Windows disk from a friend or whoever, install it, then run the upgrade. The end result would be MS not getting the money that is really due them. That would be the price of the original OS plus the price of the upgrade. Not saying it's right, not saying it's wrong but that's just the way it is.