Eligible Upgrade Paths

For each eligible upgrade path, all available upgrade versions for a Qualifying Product (e.g., language-specific versions, territory-specific versions, 32 bit/64 bit platform) will be supported. The upgrade media will be product version-specific and must correspond to the Qualifying Product Version.

Additional Upgrade Path Restrictions :

• A language version of the qualifying Windows Vista product can only be upgraded to the same language version of the Windows 7 upgrade software.
• The Windows Vista product can only be upgraded to the associated edition of the upgrade software.  For example, Windows Vista Home Premium K edition can only be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium K edition.
• OEMs must ship media as defined in these permitted upgrade paths. No other upgrade paths are available and supported under the Program.
• If an end user attempts to upgrade to an unsupported upgrade path, the end user may have to re-format the PC hard drive and/or may lose applications, files and settings available with the previous installed version of Windows. For example, the following upgrades are not allowed in the program :
  - Upgrades from Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Starter
  - Upgrades from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate
  - Upgrades from Windows Vista Business to Windows 7 Ultimate
• New! Windows Vista 64-bit to Windows 7 64-bit upgrades are fully supported, but 32-bit to 64-bit upgrades are not supported and will be blocked by the Windows 7 upgrade process. A clean install will be allowed though.
• New! Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrades are also not supported, and will be blocked by the Windows 7 upgrade process. The only way is to do a clean install using the Windows 7 Upgrade Option media.

Editor's Note : Microsoft does not allow a Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrade. The Windows XP Downgrade above refers to the optional Windows XP downgrade provided by certain OEMs. Unlike actual Windows XP installations, they come with a Windows Vista COA (Certificate of Authenticity) and are therefore eligible for the upgrade program. Hence, users with Windows XP Downgrade licenses can upgrade to Windows 7. Technically, the upgrade option in the setup will be disabled but the customer is able to do a clean install using the registration code in the Windows Vista COA.

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