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So I can't seem to find a clear answer online to this question, but I think this is possible and legal. I purchased a Windows 7 Home upgrade license for a new build I did last year. Since I have a legal copy of XP I did a clean install and did the registry workaround to activate it. Now, I would like to upgrade my wife's laptop from Vista to Win7 - is this possible with the same upgrade media? I'm assuming you can use the same upgrade disc for as many previous xp and Vista installs as you want, but I can't find this clearly stated anywhere. I don't want to try it and then have to deal with both computers being invalidated.

Has anyone done multiple upgrades with one disc?

You can use the same media, but you will need another valid Windows 7 license key for each subsequent installation.

Yes, does the Vista key on her laptop count since I will be upgrading from that?

Let me re-phrase that. I know a Vista key is different from a Win 7 key. So even though I have two valid previous Windows (XP and Vista) I need a separate Windows 7 upgrade key for each, which basically means a new disc?

you don't need a new disc, just grab a new license key from microsoft

Ok thanks. I don't want to pay for a new one, so I guess I'll stick with Vista on her laptop for now!

A Windows 7 Upgrade disc and key is not a valid license for replacing XP.

The Vista laptop may use that 7 Upgrade key and media. Your machine former XP machine needs a full OEM or Retail license of Windows 7.

Ryu Connor wrote:

A Windows 7 Upgrade disc and key is not a valid license for replacing XP.

Even with the double (i.e. repeat) installation method? Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows has consistently stated that this is an MS-approved method for replacing XP, as long as you do not let Win7 try to activate during the first install routine.

XP to 7 is not a supported upgrade path. Vista to 7 is the proper upgrade path. If you own Vista and 7 Upgrade you have two install options. Fresh install Vista and then upgrade to 7 or use Thurrott's directions. Neither one of these options engage in infringement.

The 7 Upgrade media will not upgrade XP. Doing a clean install of the 7 Upgrade and then using Thurrott's direction to activate the copy is intellectual property infringement. XP users were never eligible for the upgrade pricing or license.

This is rule one territory.

Ryu Connor wrote:

XP to 7 is not a supported upgrade path.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/clean ... rade-media

The guy gets media from MS and talks about it, and states that Method #3 is "fully supported by Microsoft".

I think that you're talking about an in-place upgrade while I'm talking about using Upgrade media to do a clean install.

I'll double check the EULA. I may be mistaken. Microsoft classroom curriculum hammers home that XP requires a fresh install, which would imply a fresh license. I'll see if the 7 Upgrade EULA clarifies.

Ryu Connor wrote:

I'll double check the EULA. I may be mistaken. Microsoft classroom curriculum hammers home that XP requires a fresh install, which would imply a fresh license. I'll see if the 7 Upgrade EULA clarifies.

Not sure if you saw my edit, but I am talking about a clean install using Upgrade media. Given that MS uses this guy to leak new OS details to the wider world I've got to believe that if he says it's OK, he's cleared it with MS.

He's right. I did some digging and found it.

Link

XP was granted upgrade license rights despite requiring a full/fresh install. Only Windows 2000 and older users must buy a full license.

This is still the case even with 8.1 at this time. I can't imagine that XP will still have upgrade rights for too much longer though. 8.1 might be the last OS. Windows XP still dies and loses all support - included security patches - on April 8th, 2014. That day will be a day of many, many future day zero attacks for XP.

In short: nothing to see here, I'm wrong.

Ryu Connor wrote:

He's right. I did some digging and found it.

Link

XP was granted upgrade license rights despite requiring a full/fresh install. Only Windows 2000 and older users must buy a full license.

This is still the case even with 8.1 at this time. I can't imagine that XP will still have upgrade rights for too much longer though. 8.1 might be the last OS. Windows XP still dies and loses all support - included security patches - on April 8th, 2014. That day will be a day of many, many future day zero attacks for XP.

In short: nothing to see here, I'm wrong.

I think the confusion arises from the fact that it is not a "supported" upgrade path, but it is an "allowed" one.

You can use the Win 7 upgrade disc to install on a brand new computer, let alone an upgrade from XP. I explained the process here. Like Ned said, I can only guarantee this works for a reformat, not an in-place upgrade. (aka you'll have to back up your files and reinstall them, your programs, and settings)