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While I was waiting to receive a new Windows 7 activation key for a system I was working on, I installed the anticipated version of Windows 7 (I converted my Windows 7 Ultimate disc into a flash drive that allows me to select which edition to install). I was anticipating I would receive a Windows 7 Professional license so I selected Professional when setting the system up, but I received a Windows 7 Ultimate license instead. That was a perfectly fine and pleasant surprise, but now I have a Windows 7 Professional installation and a Windows 7 Ultimate key. Is there any way to move my Pro installation up to Windows 7 Ultimate without having to reinstall the entire system? I've gotten everything arranged how I would like it, so I really hate reinstalling now. (When I search the web for how to move a system from Professional to Ultimate, the information seems focused on using pirated Ultimate licenses rather than moving to a legitimate Ultimate product key.)

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Windows Anytime upgrades were stopped in July 2016. This post now serves for historical purposes only.

It's actually very easy. Just pop open your start menu, and search for "Windows Anytime Upgrade"

You'll see a program like this:

Once it is open, you will see two options here. One let's you buy a new version of Windows. The other is to add the upgrade key. All you have to do is click it, and insert the key

After you enter it, Windows will install a few features, and ask you to reboot. Tada! You will now be upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate without touching your configuration.

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    If it's a full retail edition Ultimate key, it should work fine with Anytime Upgrade.
    – Karan
    Sep 27, 2012 at 23:15
  • Thanks! I suppose I should have tried that. I assumed an Anytime Upgrade key would be different from the normal key. I shall give it a whirl. Sep 28, 2012 at 0:29
  • @TimothyR.Butler its a surprisingly easy process! hopefully it works fine for you :) Sep 28, 2012 at 1:00
  • Alas it did not, since I haven't yet activated the the system (it says I need to activate it before doing an Anytime Upgrade). Trouble is, I can't activate it since the system is set up as a "mere" Professional edition and the key is for Ultimate... Sep 28, 2012 at 3:27
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    Interestingly, a comment-submitted-as-answer claims that an Anytime Upgrade worked just today. Did anything change?
    – Ben N
    Jun 22, 2017 at 0:52

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