Clean Windows 7 install w/ upgrade media

[Wraith]

See instructions here: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

Basically, install from upgrade media on clean disk, some registry changes, enter your product code and you're good.

[Ancalagon]

Microsoft will probably close this loophole soon.

They had the EU upgrade version for the price of a full version for a while, I understood it was something to do with the EU and antitrust.

[Inspector Fowler]

Wait, I don't get it. You can't do an install from a formatted disk? I thought it would just give you a chance to enter the product key from your previous version of Windows.

[Troggles]

I did a clean install using the upgrade version and it never once asked for any previous CD keys or anything.

[Wraith]

I did a clean install using the upgrade version and it never once asked for any previous CD keys or anything.But was it a clean install over an existing install? Or on a blank disk/partition? Did it go through the product activation process yet?

[Troggles]

But was it a clean install over an existing install? Or on a blank disk/partition? Did it go through the product activation process yet?

It was on an empty partition. It is fully activated.

[Wraith]

It was on an empty partition. It is fully activated.Hmm. :confused: My upgrade copy should be showing up pretty soon. I'll have to see if it works the same for me.

[Troggles]

Hmm. :confused: My upgrade copy should be showing up pretty soon. I'll have to see if it works the same for me.

Hell, I was as surprised as you are. I had my old XP disc and product key with me and kept waiting for it to ask for them. I even kept them around after activation while I loaded updates just in case.

[Wraith]

Thurrott updated the article (http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp), stating that a number of people are doing just that - doing a clean install and activating without the need to do anything with the previous version's product code. Though it doesn't work for everyone.Here's what you do. Insert the Windows 7 Upgrade DVD in your PC's optical disc, reboot the computer, boot off the DVD, and then follow the steps to install Windows 7. If you are installing onto a computer that already has another version of Windows, be sure to back everything up first. Do not attempt to install Windows 7 to the same partition as a previous Windows version. Do not provide your product key during Setup.

After Windows 7 is set up, run Windows Update, download any pending updates, reboot as needed, and repeat until there are no more updates. Then, type activate in Start Menu Search to bring up the Activate Windows utility. Type in your product key and attempt to activate Windows.

If it works, you're all set. You're done. Congratulations.

[Suave Peanut]

I received this PC from my brother, who did a clean install of W7 which I attempted to activate using my upgrade key and it didn't work. I followed this guide successfully and am fully activated.

Thanks for the link!

[Felonous]

On my fresh install of Win7 Ultimate upgrade yesterday, to a SSD drive, it never prompted for my old product key for WinXP. I haven't activate my copy yet, holding off until I'm sure everything I have to install works under the 64bit version.

BTW, I am loving this Intel SSD. Windows boots in about 7 seconds and applications just pop onto the screen. Installing some MMO games onto the SSD right now (Eve Online and Fallen Earth), can't wait to see how well it improve load times there.

[Jackel]

I had to use the regedit fix, but I was able to get a clean install from my upgrade disc.

[Wraith]

A few more answers about using Upgrade versions (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1477&tag=content;col1) (ZDNet)

[Wraith]

Upgrading from the Win7 RC (http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/upgrade_04.asp)

[muddi900]

Again these "full install" discs have always been a scam. They can't really test an "upgrade" because not all installations are the same. MS isn't the only one. Apple did the same thing with Snow Leopard.

[carnage11]

I did a clean install with my upgrade disc and my activation key didn't work. After searching the internet some, I found out if you do a clean install using the custom option, skip the product key activation, and then once in windows re-install the upgrade on top of the clean install and then enter in the product key, it worked fine. No messing with the registry or anything like that. Pretty simple actually.