Microsoft Windows Vista Anytime Upgrade Pack [Home Premium to Ultimate] [OLD VERSION]

Customer Reviews

Installed smoothly, only one minor glitch.

2007-12-04
I too was concerned about some of the reviews indicating serious problems with this upgrade, but I needed some of the Business options, so I ordered this upgrade, and obtained an Anytime Upgrade disc from Microsoft. The Amazon license key purchase was nearly instant, and I made sure that all applications were turned off/shut down (esp. the "quiet" ones in the toolbar), and I was NOT running antivirus, as those programs are known to interfere with system-level activities.
Also, I had a clean install of HomePremium that was only about a month old, so I suppose the system was still pretty "clean". I also allowed the installation program to search for updates before beginning, and it downloaded a large file, then started installation over again. These are NOT Windows Updates -- after it was all done, Windows Update installed 37 additional Recommended updates, and I chose another five or so of the Optional ones.
The only glitch I ran across was during the first restart - Windows was not able to shut down, and I couldn't shut it down from menus either. I finally powered the system off, and when I powered back on, it went back into Setup and continued the process. Subsequent restarts occurred without incident.
It does take a few hours, as advertised, and I did back up my personal folders and settings just in case. Ultimately (no pun intended), all my programs and settings were preserved, and I'm back up and running Vista Ultimate, which is the version I should have bought in the first place.

Dunno what I did wrong, but the upgrade went through very smoothly!

2007-09-14
I had read all the reviews and decided "What the heck". After all, i use a laptop and want bitlocker and the other security enhancements.

I ordered from Microsoft (I wish I had from amazon as I've a $25 certificate) and installed it according to their directions and recommendations.

Keep in mind I had a 3rd party antivirus security product installed.

When I started the upgrade process, I got a prompt asking if I wanted to get product updates online (recommended) - I said 'yes' to this. Maybe that was why my upgrade was successful.

Note, I own a Gateway MX8739 and it came with its own Anytime Upgrade disc.

The actual upgrade took almost 2 hours and was mostly automatic. Once it got back to the login screen, I entered my name and password as usual. My desktop reappeared normally. I started MS Word 2007 and it re-initialized and had to reboot. I said "no" to that prompt because Windows Update was downloading and installing 30 updates at the same time.

I did have to re-activate, but that went through without a hitch. Vista Ultimate is now the installed version, it's activated, antivirus program's definitions downloaded without fail, Office did its update and my settings remained unchanged, I am very happy.

I'm sorry some people had problems. I almost did not buy because of what has been said. However I did buy, and am glad I did. Hopefully my two cents will help address the balance.

worked like it should

2007-09-06
I installed with no issues. This is the 32 bit version only. Make sure this is what you want.

Don't try this at home!

2007-08-24
I purchased this to upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Ultimate so that I could run Virtual PC 2007. The first time I tried the upgrade it failed (after about 3hours) with a non-specific error: Windows was unable to upgrade a component or components. I tried it again with the help of Microsoft phone support. The second time it also failed but it also took out my hard disk so that I had to restore it from my latest backup. This product is still in the alpha stage. Don't buy it unless you have at least 8 hours to play around with it. It is not a stable product.

This is dumb

2007-07-31
The inplace upgrade is more expensive than simply buying ultimate upgrade and be done with it -- home premium ed. costs 150, this upgrade is 150 -- all the while Ultimate upgrade is 250 flat. You are wasting 50$ for no apparent reason.

Excellent Upgrade, but...

2008-03-02
PC is working now and without complications!

Had purchased the new PC with Windows Home Edition... an R300 error message with a ghost screen kept coming up and it was like "Boing". Then had trouble with Explorer, and any other browser for that matter, and then other problems arose. After so many troubles I almost decided to JUST SELL IT, but then my sis suggested that I buy the Upgrade and try it.

Insert CD Upgrade and ... TWO OPTIONS are given for you to choose from... I chose the first option; which is to JUST UPGRADE. This DEFECTED after about an hour into the Upgrade.

Take out CD and try again... TWO OPTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM... the second option is to UPGRADE whereby EVERYTHING you have already installed on your PC with WINDOWS HOME EDITION will now be ERASED; yet this installation will KEEP the OLD FILES and ALL that is included with WINDOWS HOME EDITION in a FILE called WINDOWS.OLD.

Then it says: you can access that file, but you won't be able to use it. I beg to DIFFER.

So there are about 10 programs in the Upgrade, yet one can still ACCESS the file called Windows.old and pull other programs from there. Sis was able to pull my old windows email and I was able to retrieve everything. Now we are in the process of retrieving each program that I know I will use... but no more than that, because I don't want to risk my PC doing the same BS that it did before.

The makers of WINDOW'S Vista knew the original product had these FRUSTRATING kinks and yet they went ahead and sold it to the buyer... NO RESPECT is given anylonger to the buyer... NONE whatsoever!

I just want to come home from a hard day's work and get on a PC without TROUBLE SHOOTING it all the time! SO, I BOUGHT A MAC... TWO OF THEM ACTUALLY. HEE, HEE. AND THEY ARE FANTASTIC.

what do I use my PC for now? Well, email and just browsing... and playing a few games.

Thanks for the $150 upgrade... it actually helped get my PC running smoothly... oh, don't forget to buy an anti virus, but your old antivirus is now in the Windows.old file. And don't forget to Activate, or in 30 days you won't be able to use your New Upgrade. Who would have thunk it? Just a bunch of smart guys with NO common sense... that's who.

Don't Count on this Going Smoothly

2008-02-25
I wanted a new computer with Ultimate already installed, but instead bought a new HP with Home Premium and decided to use the "Upgrade Anytime" feature to step up to Ultimate. Big mistake!

I followed the instructions explicitly. 30 minutes into the installation I receive an error "Windows could not configure one or more system components. To install Windows restart the computer and then restart the installation", then, "The upgrade was not successful. Your previous version of Windows is being restored. Do not restart your computer during this time."

Since it said to "restart the computer and restart the installation", I tried that. Same result. Apparently there is some component on my computer that is in conflict with the upgrade, however the error message is generic and won't tell me specifically why. Considering this is a new computer with a fresh-clean installation of Home Premium, it is rather disappointing. I could understand if there was a lot of junk on the computer- but it's new.

So wish me luck-since there's no 24 hour support for the anytime upgrade department at Microsoft, I'll be calling them in the morning and going through the "Tech Support Hokey Pokey".

If you're considering purchasing this product make sure you have ample time and patience on your hands (during tech support business hours) to fiddle and tweak your applications, updates and settings.

Don't buy this unless you are a system admin

2008-02-17
I have an HP PC with Vista Home Premium and bought this product.
I tried every possible suggestion on Microsoft web, HP web, HP support, etc etc and still the upgrade failed 3 consequetive times. Spent over
10 excruciating hours.
If time is of any value to you, don't waste it.

Documentation not supported by technical support.

2008-02-13
I think I'm computer literate but I had a difficult time installing this update from Office Home and Student 2007. The technical support ( out-sourced ) had a hard time communicating with me, He had to do an easy assist and take over my computer to install. Before installing the program, he had to delete several programs which I had to reinstall.
I bought the update because I wanted to translate several languages to and back to English. I needed the Ultimate update for the Language software moduals that works thru MS Word 2007. The Technical support can't help me even after transfering me to different departments. The real fustrating part about this is; that they left me hanging three , going on four days now, where they said they will get back to me with some one who knows what to do. I've arranged times and dates to be here when they call to fix the the language softwere problem,( can't get the languages I need).
As for my review, the upgrade to Ultimate probably works, I did not notice much difference between The Home Premium and Ultimate, but I don't use all the frills and gagets that they advertise.
If you decide to buy, Suspect That The Technical Support Is Questionable.

Amazing Product

2008-02-13
I have tried this product out and the upgrade is as simple as scratching the palm of your head. I had the premium pack and it was amazing simple to upgrade it to ultimate.

Thanks for this amazing product......