Windows 7: Can I re-initialize Windows 7 with Upgade DVD?

One thing that I would like to add is that a windows 7 upgrade license will not automatically activate after a clean install. I've gone through this twice (forgetting about it the second time). In the first instance the activation people helped me with a work around and gave me the code for a manual activation. In the second instance they refused to help saying that I had to do a Vista install with my full license and then perform a Windows 7 upgrade. I wasn't very happy at all.

To: towmsbg,

Do you mean it would not activate even with a valid Windows 7 product key?

Yes I have a valid key and it wouldn't activate after a clean install. It expects an upgrade from Vista.

How did you finally resolve this with Microsoft?

As I explained, the installer when booted should have seen a previous OS to allow use of Upgrade version key during install - unless you're using a new or cleaned HD.

If not you need to do the quick registry workaround shown in option Three of Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version to activate upgrade version on a new or cleaned HD.

I had to do a clean install of Vista, install SP1, & then run the 7 DVD from Vista performing an upgrade install. After that had to do a phone activation. It was a royal PITA since I had trouble getting the install to work for reasons that most people won't experience.

You must have wiped or formatted the HD first. This is why I took the time to explain to you how the installer when booted looks for an OS and only if it sees it will it allow use of Upgrade version key.

You needed to let us know that you pre-formatted or wiped the HD if so because it requires special steps given in the second tutorial.

Yes I more or less did a wipe. It was Mac/7 dual boot and those I've discovered are very sensitive. I don't recommend them for the average user. It was in all about 8 aggravating hours about half of which was the 7 upgrade. Now I've backed up the activation token. The important thing is that I learned from this experience.

The lesson is that there is no reason to wipe your HD unless there are installation problems requiring it.

When you boot the installer it will see an OS even if you go on to delete, repartition and format using the Custom drive options.

You could have saved hours had you read and understood what I wrote ahead.

You can mark the thread Solved at top.

To: gregrocker and townsbg,

Please re-read posting #10 (on page 1) and offer a comment.