Dell Technical Support had my answers, and here they are: 1- Dell's OEM version of Windows 7 supports Windows Anytime Update. 2- A retail product key will activate a Windows Anytime Update install; a special WAU-only key is not needed.
Thanks to my student status, I was able to buy a retail Win 7 Professional Upgrade DVD for considerably less than Dell charges to replace Home Premium with Professional on its computers. Now I'm considering how best to upgrade my Studio XPS 8100 to Win 7 Professional. I could always do an upgrade or a clean ('custom') install with my Win7 Pro DVD. A third possibility is Windows Anytime Update, and that's where I need your help. 1- Does Dell's OEM version of Windows 7 offer Windows Anytime Update? 2- Does a retail product key work for Windows Anytime Update, or does it require a special WAU product key?
"Anytime Upgrade" from Win7 Premium to Professional