I have a laptop which has Genuine 7 home basic 64 bit installed. I am looking forward to buy Home Basic to Home Premium Upgrade license as it's cheaper than retail version. What I have learn so far is, I can only use Upgrade key on an existing genuine windows 7 installation. So, that means, if in future I face the need to format my laptop I will have to install the home basic first then follow the procedure to perform basic to premium upgrade. Right? Okay is there a way out that would allow me to install Home premium directly using the upgrade license? And is it going to make my OS illegal?
See this is the difference contacting the MS support forums and MDL. I posted same questions on their community forums and was told that MS doesn't offer Upgrade for Home Basic users I don't have a credit card but there is a Microsoft Retailer near my place, I believe they are legit as I found their address on Microsoft's website. It means that I will be able to install Windows 7 Home Premium directly from the Home Basic disc using the key provided i.e the anytime upgrade key if I format my system?