In as few as 10 minutes, you can turn your netbook into a mini entertainment center or prepare your laptop for work by adding the ability to join a domain.
With Windows Anytime Upgrade, you can add new features to Windows 7 and do more with your PC. It’s easy, quick, and you’ll keep your programs, files, and settings.
All you have to do is buy an upgrade key from Microsoft or a local retail store to unlock those shiny new features. Windows Anytime Upgrade will walk you through the upgrade step by step. To learn more, see the Windows Anytime Upgrade FAQ.
Windows Anytime Upgrade choices
Getting started
Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It can help you find out which features and editions of Windows 7 will run on your PC.
Choose whether you want to purchase the upgrade online or to go to a local retail store to buy a Windows Anytime Upgrade key.
On your PC, open Windows Anytime Upgrade (click the Start button, type Windows Anytime Upgrade into the search box, and then click Windows Anytime Upgrade in the list of results).
Follow the instructions on the screen for online purchases or that come with your upgrade key.
Here are answers to some common questions about Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade.
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How much does each edition of Windows 7 cost?
You'll see pricing information for each edition during the Windows Anytime Upgrade process. You can also go to an electronics store to see prices and to buy a Windows Anytime Upgrade key.
Can I return to the edition of Windows 7 my computer was running before the upgrade?
Yes, but you will need to do a clean installation of your previous edition of Windows 7, which means that your files and program settings will not be preserved.
Note: To reinstall your previous edition of Windows 7, you'll need to have your original edition's product key. It's a good idea to keep all of your Windows product keys in case you need to reinstall Windows.
Notes:
You can use Windows Anytime Upgrade to upgrade from 32-bit Windows 7 to 32-bit Windows 7 and from 64-bit Windows 7 to 64-bit Windows 7, but you can’t upgrade from 32-bit Windows 7 to 64-bit Windows 7 or vice-versa.
Windows Anytime Upgrade is only available for online purchase in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Windows Anytime Upgrade isn’t available in all editions of Windows 7.