Windows 7: Full OS vs an Upgrade...

I am sure this has been asked before but I didn't really know how to search for it, here it goes.

I have heard horror stories about upgrading to a new OS from and old one (95 to 98, 98 to Me, Me to XP, etc, etc) and that it is better to buy the full version and start with a clean slate... is there any truth to that? Are the Marketing Nazis behind this myth just to make you spend, yet, more money?

Frankly, I have never purchased any Microsoft OS until SP1 is out due to the bugs and glitches but, after testing the Windows 7 RC, not to its fullest of course, but to the extent of my liking, which by the way, is as far as I am ever going to take it anyways, I am thinking of dumping Vista x64 and just stick to 7.



Sure, there are still things that I can't do with 7 that I used to be able to do with XP easily but I am managing w/o them or trying to be patient with it... of course, that is not here nor there!

Clean install, every time. An 'upgrade' is generally possible but you will invariably have problems because the OS has to contend with 'left-overs' and countless configuration issues. I've personally tested the upgrade option of just about every build. And yes, there are plenty are discussions about this and the consensus is clear; a system is more responsive and stable on a clean install over an upgrade.

You'll probably get a few varying responses, but I'm in favor of doing a clean install. It is possible to do an upgrade, then do a clean install from the same disk, but you also have more rights as an end user should you buy the full version versus the upgrade. That's enough justification for me to recommend the full version over an upgrade.

You can do a clean install if you buy the upgrade version, as long as you owned vista or xp. And the upgrade disk is cheaper. You boot into vista, run the disk and then run the 7 disk and tell it to do a clean install. Thats how xp to vista was anyway.

there is a way to use the Upgrade disk to do a clean install, then do an "upgrade" over that clean install and then you can use your key to activate as an upgrade.

Arent the EULA's the same for both? how would one have more rights if they bought the full version rather than the upgrade? Im just asking cuz im curious

i think the rights are the same, what he meant was the support you get from Microsoft is different if you buy the upgrade. i believe you get none.

Here is where Microsoft confirms you will be able to clean install using the upgrade disk on their site where they are doing pre orders at half price

• Running Windows Vista?
• If you have Windows Vista, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. You can do a clean install (back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications) or an in-place upgrade (Windows 7 installs over Windows Vista).

Oh ok, I guess that kinda makes a little bit of sense. Personally I wouldnt call them for support ever anyway. Id just come here for help

Also, if you have XP or win2000 You cant do an inplace upgrade, microsft tells you to backup your stuff and do a clean install from the upgrade disk

• Running earlier versions?
• If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications.