Windows 7 has several editions with different features. See URL for details comparing editions. For a fee, you
can upgrade to another edition. If you decide to upgrade to a version with more features or want to know more
about your options, click Start, type anytime in the Search Programs and Files text box, and click Windows
Anytime Upgrade in the resulting list of matching programs.
The Windows Anytime Upgrade screen displays your current edition in the upper-right corner. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium. If
you have Windows 7 Ultimate, you're done (since there's nothing to upgrade to from Ultimate). Tip If you have Windows 7 Starter, you may want the multimedia options in Home Premium. The
Ultimate edition is less compelling.
Click the link labeled Go Online to See If Your Computer Is Ready to Upgrade to Another Edition of Windows 7.
Click Download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. On the next screen, click Download.
In the File Download Security Warning dialog box, click Save. In the Save As dialog box, click Save. After
download completes, click Run. If the dialog box doesn't stay open after downloading, choose Start?Computer
and click Downloads on the left. Double-click the Upgrade Advisor installer. Click Next and OK as needed.
After the installer finishes, click Start. Click Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on the Start menu. If the User Account
Control dialog box prompts you for confirmation, click Yes.
On the first Advisor screen, click Start Check. The process takes a few minutes to run. Read the resulting Report
screen. If you want to refer to the report later, click Save Report. Click Close.
Click Go Online to Choose the Edition of Windows 7 That's Best for You. Click Compare the Editions of
Windows 7. Find your current edition in the columns of the chart. Look at editions to the right of your current
edition. Do you see any features you want? If you don't see a feature you want, then you don't need to continue;
close the window. If you see a feature you want, consider the following tip before proceeding to the next step.
If your edition of Windows 7 lacks a feature you want or need, you may be able to find other
programs with the missing feature. There are many good - even free - programs available for
download from the Web. Take the time to research a program before you download and install it, to avoid
unreliable or dangerous software. Two good sources for software reviews are www.downloadsquad.com
and www.howtogeek.com.
Click the button to upgrade from your current edition to the edition you intend to buy. Confirm your selection.
On the payment screen, fill in the required information. Click Checkout.
After a few minutes, Windows 7 completes downloading the missing features and upgrading the edition. Click
Restart Now. When Windows 7 restarts, the Congratulations screen indicates your new edition.
