Any chance at all of upgrading from 7 Enterprise to Ultimate?

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by slev0, Nov 1, 2010.

  1. slev0

    slev0 MDL Novice

    Nov 1, 2010
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    I think I've got a machine ready for 7 Ultimate OEM: it's a Dell with preexisting SLIC 2.1, the cert I've got seems to match as tested with SLIC ToolKit 3.2—but is there a simple way to upgrade, offline or online (online preferred, of course) from Enterprise to Ultimate?

    After careful research, it looks like Microsoft doesn't want anyone crossing the streams (moving from corporate to consumer editions or vice versa), but I'm hoping someone's got the solution. I'd prefer not having to reinstall, since it's a multi-day process to get all my apps and customizations back in place.

    Thanks in advance.


    PS: I've looked at comparison charts until I'm half-blind, so I'll just ask: am I missing anything besides the extra themes? I suspect I can just extract those from the appropriate ISO and install them manually.

    PPS: I'm considering all this mostly because it looks like SP1 RC1 has moved against stub KMS solutions, and OEM activation looks the most futureproof. Am I wrong?
     
  2. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    Well im not sure wether you can upgrade, beacuse theyre not completely similar. Ultimate uses OEM:SLP and Enterprise MAK..
    I suggest you do a clean install anyway:)
     
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  3. gamepoint

    gamepoint MDL Senior Member

    Jan 4, 2010
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    #3 gamepoint, Nov 1, 2010
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2010
    Enterprise actually has the EXACT same features, just different licensing... its not really an upgrade. :animatedwink:
     
  4. tcntad

    tcntad MDL Guru

    Oct 26, 2009
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    It doesnt has the games ;) Installed by default.
     
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  5. acyuta

    acyuta MDL Expert

    Mar 8, 2010
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    Enterprise does have games, they are just turned off, and can be turned on in programs and features.
     
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  6. gamepoint

    gamepoint MDL Senior Member

    Jan 4, 2010
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    Go to Control Panel>Programs>Turn windows feature on or off>Select Games folder>click OK

    you can have all of the games in the Games Explorer applet in the Start Menu.
     
  7. slev0

    slev0 MDL Novice

    Nov 1, 2010
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    Mm. How about the activation/licensing changes coming in SP1? Is OEM activation more resilient, or are the KMS solutions going to be compatible with SP1 final by the time it's available?
     
  8. FreeStyler

    FreeStyler MDL Guru

    Jun 23, 2007
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    How should we know :confused:
     
  9. slev0

    slev0 MDL Novice

    Nov 1, 2010
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    I was hoping someone might have confirmed the KMS solutions working (or not) with SP1 builds by now. I couldn't turn up any material in MDL after a few searches, so I figured I'd just ask. I did see that IR4 is reported working after SP1 RC1 install.
     
  10. slev0

    slev0 MDL Novice

    Nov 1, 2010
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    I haven't tried, but I was considering it. I found a post elsewhere with the Registry keys, listed for the purpose of being able to downgrade—apparently there's some reason related to business IT support or licensing—and I was wondering if that would be enough to get DISM.EXE to stop dragging its feet.
     
  11. FreeStyler

    FreeStyler MDL Guru

    Jun 23, 2007
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    KMS, IR4, Windows Loader and/or Bios Mods, None will succesfully activate SP1 Beta/RC releases as these releases are evaluation versions that will expire sooner or later.
     
  12. slev0

    slev0 MDL Novice

    Nov 1, 2010
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    Oh... right. *facepalm* Sorry.
     
  13. timesurfer

    timesurfer MDL Developer

    Nov 22, 2009
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    IR4 will never activate windows even with the real SP1...lol
     
  14. Tito

    Tito Admin / Adviser
    Staff Member

    Nov 30, 2009
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    Thats right!!! A tool (or activator o_O), which never activates...... :D
     
  15. timesurfer

    timesurfer MDL Developer

    Nov 22, 2009
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  16. stimpy2300

    stimpy2300 MDL Novice

    Sep 11, 2009
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    interesting post.
     
  17. Myrrh

    Myrrh MDL Expert

    Nov 26, 2008
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    To "upgrade" from Enterprise to Ultimate you could try using the "Downgrade via registry edits" mode that someone detailed here in the forums some time back.

    Basically you launch regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

    Change "Edition" from "Enterprise" to "Professional"
    Similarly change the "ProductName" from "Windows 7 Enterprise" to "Windows 7 Professional"

    Then you need to immediately do an "Upgrade" install of the same edition you just changed it to.

    Get it activated in the normal way, then use an ultimate key to do an Anytime Upgrade from there.
     
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  18. bjf2000

    bjf2000 MDL Expert

    Apr 11, 2008
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    Sorry to bump, but does that actually still work (assuming it ever did)? I know something similar worked in the Vista days, but....

    In case anyone's curious "why," I know someone who accidentally used volume media and installed Enterprise when he actually has a legit Ultimate key. It was a couple days ago, so lots of updating and installing has transpired. It wouldn't be a great thing to wipe and start over.
     
  19. anarchist9027

    anarchist9027 MDL Expert

    Oct 30, 2010
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    Yes, it does work.