I have the following CD's:
- Windows Vista Home Premium (Upgrade)
- Windows Vista Ultimate (Full)
- Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade)
I would like to install Windows 7 on a mac with boot camp. It seems that Apple doesn't support installations via upgrade discs.
From what I understand, this means that I can't simply begin the installation using the Windows 7 CD, since it is an upgrade version. What I didn't understand, though, is if I can upgrade the OS once it is installed. For example, if I install the full version of Windows Vista Ultimate, could I then upgrade it to Windows 7? Or is my only option to purchase a full edition of Windows 7?
Best Answer
Actually, it's not that Apple won't let you install Windows from an upgrade disc—it's Microsoft that won't.
Think of it in terms of a blank hard drive on (what will be) a Windows PC. You can't use an upgrade disc to install Windows, as there's no OS there to upgrade.
However, once Windows is installed, you can then upgrade to a later version of Windows. This is covered in the Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide (pdf), page 15+.