A firm believer and supporter of Microsoft, I’d come up with an idea to have a test of how Windows 7 upgrades itself in versions.

An interesting look at Windows Vista was done by me years ago, but I didn’t keep any blog then, so the project went lost in record. This time, let’s make it better.

The purpose of this test is very simple, to test how Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade works, and the procedure of this test is also very easy, to install the lowest positioned version of Windows 7, Starter, and try upgrade it version by version to see if everything still works alright.

That being said, there will be three upgrades, Starter to Home Basic, Home Basic to Home premium, Home Premium to Professional, and Professional to Ultimate.

If Windows 7 went all this way up to claim no error, I’d say, again, Windows 7 rules all.

As Windows 7 Starter doesn’t has an x64 version, my test will focus only on x86 series. To make long story short, enjoy the upgrades.

Everything begins with a starter.

Snap1 

Snap2

9

Snap3

Snap4

Snap5

Snap6 Snap7

After you enter the license key for the target Windows version, the upgrade guide will start checking the key to make sure it will work.  During the upgrading process, if the guide detects Internet link, it will try querying new updates and patching them during the upgrade.

Now the phase one of the upgrade process is over, and the computer will restart.

Next time you start Windows, it’ll start the essential work.

Snap1

2

The upgrade takes around seven minutes. Very quick and informative. Every part of the whole process is clearly stated, leaving no space for curiosity.

Now from Home Basic to Home Premium, the Aero-able version which specifies in home entertainment.

3

From Home Premium to Professional, the perfect OS for job/entertainment during interludes.

4

Finally, the ultimate version that has all, Windows 7 Ultimate.

8

Having used the final Ultimate for quite a while, I found it just like the system with fresh installs, which shows the maturity of Windows in-place upgrades. All the modified settings are still there, and all documents and music and everything are still there. It’s been good experience.

One worry from users is if Windows will demand the specific Windows to start upgrade activated. Well, it doesn’t. It doesn’t have to be activated to upgrade.

Like the old saying, something won’t change. The only thing that won’t change in these upgrades is the EULA, End User License Agreement. Other things are just fine.

a

The whole upgrade process is very smooth with each taking around 7 minutes to finish. It’s finally the day we dreamt about years ago, a module formed Windows. Need extra power? An simple in-place upgrade will solve all.

Gorgeous job done, Microsoft!

p.s. Along with the test, I found there is NO three applications limit in Start SKU now. A search on the Web confirmed this. Yes, from Windows 7 Starter, Starter is just a Home Basic except it cannot change wallpaper and the name displayed is Starter. This is truly a good one, making things possible with netbooks.