How to use a retail Windows 7 Professional license key to upgrade an installed Windows 7 Home Premium machine
- by jalperin
I purchased a retail version of Windows 7 Professional and installed it on a computer. That machine has died, and I replaced it with a new computer which came with Windows 7 Home Premium already installed.
I'd like to have Professional, not Home Premium, on the new machine, and I don't want to pay for an "Anytime Upgrade" because I already have a valid Windows 7 Professional license (for the dead computer).
Is there a way to legally upgrade using my Professional license key? I've already installed programs, data, etc on the new machine, so I don't want to reformat and start from scratch.