Vista Tutorial - 'Swap' Vista Business for Ultimate

I have Vista Business x64 installed from a full (non upgrade) disk and running nicely on my main PC. I also have jus received a copy of Ultimate full install licence. I want to replace the Business on my main PC with Ultimate and then reinstall the Business version on a new PC with minimal rework. How do I do this. Can i upgrade the Business using the Ultimate key and then reinstall the Business and use the key previously on my main PC with the previous Business install (I assume I'd have o call MS to reactivate)???

Hi iamhives,

To make everything easier without complications, I would backup anything you do not want to lose on the older main computer, then do a clean install with Ultimate on it.

When you install Business on the new computer, you will have to do a phone activation. Microsoft still thinks that it is installed on the older main computer until you do. This will show you how to do a phone activation.

Activate Vista by Phone

Shawn

Thanks for the input. I guess this was what I was trying to avoid but i'm not surprised. So I can't upgrade using the new Ultimate version and then reinstall the other Business on the new computer?. I would then have 2 valid licenses on two computers as Microsoft wants

iamhives,

If you have a product key number for each of the Vista Ultimate and Business versions, then you can do a clean or upgrade install from Business to Ultimate and activate it with the Ultimate product key number. When done, you can install the Business on the other computer. You just of course, will have to do a phone activation with the Business version product key number.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Good. Was hoping I could do that

Would it be better to upgrade to Ultimate before Sp1 or do difference (I assume no difference)

Thanks

iamhives,

I would go ahead and upgrade to Ultimate now. When the final SP1 is released it will show up in Windows Updates.