Windows 7 Upgrade Trick ... ... I ended up having to do that on my desktop with my current version of Vista (which had a similar trick to install without having ...

qhn · 10-30-2009, 05:53 PM

... 'Breaches License,' Says MS

"...Microsoft has recently confirmed it is technically possible to install an upgrade-only edition of Windows 7 on a machine that doesn't already have another version of Windows pre-installed. That said, the firm has also pointed out that doing so is an illegal breach of licensing conditions."

"...sites that provided the "workaround" without explaining the licensing rules. ... "give the impression that because [the workaround] is technically possible, it is legal to do. Unfortunately, by doing this, they irresponsibly put end users at risk of loading unlicensed software.""

"Can Upgrade Trick be Detected?

It's interesting that Microsoft has posted a full-page response to this issue, knowing that doing so will inevitably draw more attention to the Win7 upgrade trick loophole.

This begs the question: is Microsoft's response simply for "damage control" or does this warning imply that a breached license will cause a PC to fail the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) check? In the latter case, users would have limited access to Windows Updates, meaning that their PC could be more vulnerable to malware and hacker attacks. "

In full here!

cheers ...

pickles · 10-31-2009, 03:07 PM

I wouldn't risk it. Everything about MS's past practices says that protecting their revenue source trumps everything else, including security, convenience, and functionality. It's part of their business model. IMO, they'll work on this "loophole" until it's resolved--to the detriment of the end user.

sRc · 10-31-2009, 05:17 PM

I ended up having to do that on my desktop with my current version of Vista (which had a similar trick to install without having a previous copy installed) when I replaced my hard drive, because I had bought the upgrade version to upgrade from XP x64, and both my XP x64 discs had cracked through and I couldn't install XP to upgrade it correctly. Vista SP2 was supposedly going to detect that and disable those OS's that were installed that way, but that didn't end up happening for me

bottom line is, you do have to own another full licence copy of Windows in order to use an upgrade version. if you have to use one of these tricks to install Windows because for some reason you can't get the required detected OS installed first (like in my case), you are still within the terms of the license, but if you're just buying an Upgrade version for a new computer because it costs less, big no. best to just buy the System Builders version, in that case

10-30-2009, 05:53 PM	#1
qhn Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 20,059 Reviews: 8 Benchmarks: 18 Credits: 54,654	Windows 7 Upgrade Trick ... ... 'Breaches License,' Says MS "...Microsoft has recently confirmed it is technically possible to install an upgrade-only edition of Windows 7 on a machine that doesn't already have another version of Windows pre-installed. That said, the firm has also pointed out that doing so is an illegal breach of licensing conditions." "...sites that provided the "workaround" without explaining the licensing rules. ... "give the impression that because [the workaround] is technically possible, it is legal to do. Unfortunately, by doing this, they irresponsibly put end users at risk of loading unlicensed software."" "Can Upgrade Trick be Detected? It's interesting that Microsoft has posted a full-page response to this issue, knowing that doing so will inevitably draw more attention to the Win7 upgrade trick loophole. This begs the question: is Microsoft's response simply for "damage control" or does this warning imply that a breached license will cause a PC to fail the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) check? In the latter case, users would have limited access to Windows Updates, meaning that their PC could be more vulnerable to malware and hacker attacks. " In full here! cheers ... __________________ m6805@3700; SZ71WN/C ; Macbook 2ghz/4gig/250gb/superdrive; 7811FX are u Folding@Home? - Firefox Beta - MediaPortal "the" Media Centre/HTPC!

10-31-2009, 05:17 PM	#3
sRc We Do It Live! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 41,177 Reviews: 2 Benchmarks: 12 Credits: 16,479	I ended up having to do that on my desktop with my current version of Vista (which had a similar trick to install without having a previous copy installed) when I replaced my hard drive, because I had bought the upgrade version to upgrade from XP x64, and both my XP x64 discs had cracked through and I couldn't install XP to upgrade it correctly. Vista SP2 was supposedly going to detect that and disable those OS's that were installed that way, but that didn't end up happening for me bottom line is, you do have to own another full licence copy of Windows in order to use an upgrade version. if you have to use one of these tricks to install Windows because for some reason you can't get the required detected OS installed first (like in my case), you are still within the terms of the license, but if you're just buying an Upgrade version for a new computer because it costs less, big no. best to just buy the System Builders version, in that case __________________ 'Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for--because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.'- Peter Marshall 'I listened, motionless and still; And, as I mounted up the hill, The music in my heart I bore, Long after it was heard no more.'William Wordsworth

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
wireless range trick	Technomancer	Alienware Area-51 and Aurora Notebooks	7	01-04-2005 08:05 AM
Trick out and Customize Your Sager	Freakizoid	Sager & Clevo Notebooks	32	12-27-2004 05:32 PM

Notebooks For Sale

User Links

Top Posters

Todays Top Posters

Fastest Benchmarks

Latest Benchmarks

10-31-2009, 03:07 PM	#2
pickles Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 23 Credits: 307	I wouldn't risk it. Everything about MS's past practices says that protecting their revenue source trumps everything else, including security, convenience, and functionality. It's part of their business model. IMO, they'll work on this "loophole" until it's resolved--to the detriment of the end user.