Windows 7: win 7 upgrade disc won't install as clean install

I have read the tutorials on here about using a win 7 upgrade disc for a clean install, but let me tell you it don't work for me!

I bought a new hard drive and win 7 upgrade disc (I do own a copy of win 98 and win xp upgrade so thats all legal) I put the win 7 upgrade disc in and it started to install it gets right to the bit where you need to put your product key in and then its says INVALID LICENCE KEY I ve tried and tried but thats all it will say (and yes I did un check the activate windows on line)

So I then tried installing my xp upgrade disc after it scans the hard drive it says please put your copy of win 98 in the disc drive to see if you are eligible for the upgrade (not exact words but you get the drift) after it checks it then it says put you xp disc back in the drive. but it wont install it just keeps going round in a loop doing the same things as above and wanting to re formate the drive all the time and asking for the win 98 disc.

I am now thinking of having to install win 98 then xp upgrade then win 7 (I want to use the 64 bit disc too) seems a bit long winded but I don't know what else to do. Its a bit of a pain because win 98 disc won't recognise my cd drive I assume because its SATA, anyway I have an old ATA/IDE cd drive which I ve just rigged up and win 98 is now formating the drive but its gona take ages.

Any help ? or is my long winded way the only way ?

If the key is indeed illegal, nothing that we can do. If it is lega
When it asks for your key, do not give it. Untick the box allowing for automatic activation when on line.
Then install programs, use the system when you are ready, but before 30 days, activate by phone.
Activate Windows 7 by Phone

If you key, for whatever reason, is not valid, this nor any other method will work.

Hello Ballie.










Please have a look at this tutorial at the link below, you don't add the key when first prompted during the install.


Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

As Rich said, when it asks for the Key, uncheck and do not give it. My Win 7 was installed for about two weeks before I went back and put the Key in. Hopefully this will work.

PS -- Where did you buy your Win 7 disk? Was it online from a legit website, from a local store or a site like Ebay? Thanks,

Thanks Guys,

Its that simple I just left the key box blank and clicked next and I am now up and running. I will try and activate it over the next few days the key will be ok because I bought the upgrade disc from Ebuyer.com and it was sealed box, I might need to phone and give reason.

Hello Ballie.









Glad to see you have it sorted and thanks for the update.

Even if you have to make a robo-call to MS to activate that's no big deal.


How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone

You do not want to pro-actively call MS to activate as they are no longer supporting clean install with Upgrade by all reports. You should not have to make the call anyway when you activate, or at most have to make a robocall to number they provide. Calls to a MS agent are so rare I've never had to do on in hundreds of installs.

Insert Product Key at Control Panel>System link after doing one of the workarounds in the tutorial posted: Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you don't want to set a Restore Point to do the registry changes, then within Windows 7 put your DVD in and run the Upgrade over itself and it should accept the key up front.

Hi guys,

I had to do the reg edit and change the value to 0 it then registered just fine.

Hello again Ballie.







Glad to see you found a solution and thanks for the update.

As BFK said thanks for the update. You have, now, helped others in the same way that you have been helped. Come back any time.