Upgrading to Win7 from XP (Not activated)?

Question

Hello,
I would really appreciate some advice. My parents have received an elderly computer with preinstalled XP which has never been authenticated or genuinely activated (Which they are unable to activate as they do not have the number in hand?). I was thinking about buying them a fresh version of Win7 from Microsoft but wondered whether it will easily upgrade the Win XP when it has not been authenticated? Any help would be great. Really want to get rid of XP but worried to spend monies and then encounter upgrade errors.

Answer 1

As long as you purchase the full package, not an upgrade, then you are fine. The full package doesn't care what is on the current system, if anything. The upgrade package needs an activated, valid version of an existing O/S.

Answer 2

Yes, it will work without being authenticated. I have had to do this in the past with an unauthenticated version of Windows 2k in order to install the upgrade cd of XP on my computer. I had to replace the hard drive so it had nothing on it when I started. I installed Win 2k, did not update it, connect to the internet or anything. After it finished I immediately started installed Win XP. I think that you are required to wipe out your hard drive when upgrading from XP to 7. Good luck.

Answer 3

Find out if your PC can run Windows 7.



To see if your PC is ready for Windows 7, download the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It scans your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs, and recommends what to do before you upgrade.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx



Before you begin

Before scanning your PC with the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, be sure to plug in and power on any USB devices or other devices, such as printers, external hard disks, and scanners, that you regularly use with the PC you're checking.