Vista Tutorial - Install Business version with Ultimate version dvd

Hello,

I upgraded my pc and bought Windows Vista ultimate 64bit, and i would like to install Windows vista Business 64bit.

How can i do it ?

I took ultimate because it was the only version i could find (in my area anyway) that had a 64bit version in the box.
But i don't want the media center, the high definition, and all the multimedia stuff. All of these ultimate "extras" are of no use whatsover to me.

So my question is basically can i install the Business version with my ultimate key ? (is it "downwards" compatible in a way ?).

I don't understand why ultimate is the only one with 64bit in the box. It doesn't make sense to me. It would have been much more logical for the Business version to be the one with 64bit in the box.

You can try this (but I don't know if it will work):
1. Preform a clean installation but DO NOT enter the key when prompted.
2. When asked which version to install, select Business. This will install the Business version in trail mode.
3. Now the I don't know part: Once you are up and running, go and try to activate your copy using the Ultimate key. I suspect this will fail but I have never tried it.

On the other hand, did you try installing Ultimate and then remove features once installed.

Chris

Hello,

Thanks for the reply,

I tried installing Business without key then entering Ultimate key under Vista, unfortunately it doesn't work, error message saying i need Business version key.

It would be much better if the key was "downwards" compatible, much cleaner and simpler, i don't understand why they didn't do it that way.
But unless i find a way it looks like i will have to try and remove the media center, hd stuff etc... after install, a wonderful way to start off with a new OS don't you think ;-).

Do you know of a way to remove all these things after install cleanly and as simply as possible (so it ends up like a Business version ) ?

I still don't understand why they don't put 64bit media in the business box, probably the box where it makes the most sense to put it (with maybe the ultimate for big gamers or people who like to watch movies on their computers, i don't, that's what my tv is for : watching movies, and it's very good at it ;-)).

Hello olant,

Sorry, the product key number you have is for Vista Ultimate only. The dvd will allow you to install any version, (Except Server Edition), from it if you have a valid product key number for that version. You will need to buy a version of Business to get a product key number for it.

Shawn

Hello,

Thanks brink,

Yes.. i understood that there was no hope from another thread i asked the question on (in the newsgroups - installation), the key is apparently what determines the version, so, no hope.

Do you know if there is a notable difference in system performance between Ultimate and Business even if you don't use the "extra" features of ultimate ? It's the main thing that's bothering me in fact, not the disk space (grrrr :-) ).

It looks like the only option if i really want Business 64bit is to exchange the Ultimate version for a Business version at the store i bought it from (hope they accept, would be too expensive to buy another version alltogether), and ask for the 64bit Business version on the dedicated site.

But if ultimate is not heavier on the system, i'll be just fine with ultimate ;-)

Thanks for your help

olant,

I don't know if there is a performance difference between Ultimate and Business, but I assume that it would depend on what features you have turned on and how you use it.

You might look at this link and see the differences between Business and Ultimate. Ultimate has all the features of Business and more. You could just turn the one you do not want off. Ultimate comes with 64 bit and 32 bit. You just choose which one you want to install and the same Product ID number for it that you are currently using. I doubt that the retailer will take Ultimate back after you opened it.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Brink,

No, they won't take it back since it's open (even though i bought it early this afternoon, afternoon in France, so probably was early morning for you... c'est la vie ;-)).

No problem at all. I'm surprised of the complications to get a 64bit business edition, but i'm very happy to have the 64bit edition, which is what i wanted anyway, Ultimate is perfect too, great. (...and some would prefer it over business for sure, so my inquiry might even look a little picky i guess).

As you suggested i'll just deactivate the things i don't use if they are a problem.

Now on to test (or would that be tame) the beast... :-)

Thanks for your help, again ;-).

olant,

Your welcome,
Shawn