Windows Anytime Upgrade

One of the big advantages of shipping multiple Vista SKUs in a single disc image is that all the modules I listed in the previous section are present on the disc. Therefore, it should be easy to "upgrade" to a higher version of Vista by simply adding the appropriate modules. That's exactly what Microsoft is doing with its new Windows Anytime Upgrade feature in the Home Basic, Home Premium, and Business editions. For example, if you are currently running the Home Basic edition of Windows Vista, you can use Windows Anytime Upgrade to jump up to Home Premium or even Ultimate. Similarly, Vista Business users can move to Vista Ultimate.

Figure 2.2 shows the Windows Anytime Upgrade window for Home Basic users (select Start, Control Panel, System and Maintenance, Windows Anytime Upgrade).

Figure 2.2. Windows Vista Home Basic users can upgrade to Home Premium or Ultimate.

Clicking one of the upgrade links takes you to another window that explains the upgrade process (see Figure 2.3):

1.	Purchase a license from a Microsoft partner.
2.	Download and install the license.
3.	Insert your original Vista disc and follow the instructions to add the modules for the new version to your system.

Figure 2.3. Clicking an upgrade link takes you to this page, where you can begin the upgrade process.