Does a Windows 7 Upgrade replace your previous product key?

The reason why I ask is because I just purchased Windows 7 64 bit Pro -Upgrade from school on a student discount for like 28 bucks. I couldn't pass it up.

Anyway I'm using Vista Home Premium 64 bit atm and I know already that an upgrade won't even attempt to install if you don't have a valid copy of Windows.

Obviously I do have a valid copy and I intend to do a custom installation, doing a clean installation.

Anyway does W7 replace your current product key with an upgrade key? I want to know because I'd like to install my Windows Vista to another machine just as long as they don't share the same product keys...

So is this possible? Because I won't know until sometime next week when it gets mailed to me.

How to do a clean install with a Upgrade disk:
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

theog said:

How to do a clean install with a Upgrade disk:
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Oh well I think that answered my other question. I was about to ask what if I encountered a problem with my PC and needed to reformat how would I do it with the Upgrade?

So apparently you can install it to a blank HD, but manually active it later using your key?


EDIT: How large are the Upgrade DVDs for Windows 7 normally? The school website wasn't exactly detailed on the version of Windows I was purchasing, but I think it's an upgrade... It could be the full version with a standalone key, it was running at 16GBs total.

The installers are the same (around 2.34gb) because it is the key which determines whether Upgrade or Full Version.

When the DVD boots up it scans the HD to see if another OS is present, passing a flag to allow use of Upgrade version key. If you install to new or wiped HD, leave the Product key blank during install, after install do the quick registry edit in Clean Install tutorial, then activate with key at Computer>Properties link.

After you download you can use the MS tool to write to flash stick or DVD: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

Safeguard your key which is good for life, and keep your DVD/stick handy for repairs or reinstalls.

However if you save a Win7 backup image of your finished install, you never have to reinstall again anyway: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Other tips for a purrfect install - use the ones which apply to you: re-install windows 7

gregrocker said:

The installers are the same (around 2.34gb) because it is the key which determines whether Upgrade or Full Version.

When the DVD boots up it scans the HD to see if another OS is present, passing a flag to allow use of Upgrade version key. If you install to new or wiped HD, leave the Product key blank during install, after install do the quick registry edit in Clean Install tutorial, then activate with key at Computer>Properties link.

After you download you can use the MS tool to write to flash stick or DVD: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

Safeguard your key which is good for life, and keep your DVD/stick handy for repairs or reinstalls.

However if you save a Win7 backup image of your finished install, you never have to reinstall again anyway: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Other tips for a purrfect install - use the ones which apply to you: re-install windows 7

Alright, thinks for the response. If I have any problems with my installation I'll let you guys know, should be getting it in the mail this week, hopefully because I'm sick of Vista.