Windows 7 Upgrade Paths

Applies To: Windows 7

This document outlines supported and unsupported upgrade paths for editions of the Windows® 7 operating system.

Unsupported Upgrade Scenarios

  • Upgrades to Windows 7 from the following operating systems are not supported:

    • Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows XP, Windows Vista® RTM, Windows Vista Starter, Windows 7 M3, Windows 7 Beta, Windows 7 RC, or Windows 7 IDS

    • Windows NT® Server 4.0, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server® 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2

  • Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported.

  • Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported.

  • Cross-SKU upgrades (for example, Windows 7 N to Windows 7 K) are not supported.

  • Upgrades from Windows Vista to Windows N, Windows K, Windows KN, or Windows E are not supported.

  • Cross-build type in-place upgrades (for example, fre to chk) are not supported.

  • Pre-release in-place upgrades across milestones (for example, Windows 7 RC to Windows 7 RTM) are not supported.

Supported Upgrade Scenarios

From Windows Vista (SP1, SP2) Upgrade to Windows 7

Business

Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate

Enterprise

Enterprise

Home Basic

Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate

Home Premium

Home Premium, Ultimate

Ultimate

Ultimate

From Windows 7 Repair-In-Place Upgrade to Windows 7

Enterprise

Enterprise

Home Basic

Home Basic

Home Premium

Home Premium

Professional

Professional

Starter (x86 only)

Starter (x86)

Ultimate

Ultimate

From Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade to Windows 7

Home Basic

Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate

Home Premium

Professional, Ultimate

Professional

Ultimate

Starter

Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate