Should I buy full or upgrade version?

A little insight from a thread over at Neowin: Question about Windows 7 - Neowin Forums

1. Can I use Windows 7 Upgrade version to do a clean install of the OS?

Yes, but do NOT format your old drive or anything before the install. During the clean install (which can be boot to disc or run from the existing OS), the installer will make a note that you had an existing install on any partition. This will allow you to activate via an upgrade product key.

2. I have windows vista 32bit os, can I use windows 7 upgrade version to do a clean install from 32-bit to 64-bit?

Yes, see above. Only difference is you'll have to boot to the DVD (or a thumbdrive or something) as you can't run the 64-bit installer from inside a 32-bit OS.

Not sure how accurate it is, but it is the best answer I've found so far. I also asked further questions in that thread that remain unanswered as of this post. ^_^

I guess we'll find out for sure in about 3 weeks unless Microsoft tells us beforehand...

Dave76 said:

Regarding whether activation is required

An interesting find. Don't assume that because MS can do it that everyone else can. Would be nice if everyone could but, wouldn't count on it.

Out of curiosity, I built a XP pro x86 VM, unactivated. Then I tried upgrading it using the MSDN disc (rtm build). I was able to get Windows 7 installed on this unactivated XP VM by running the setup executable in the XP environment.

I know it's MSDN, which may be different from retail discs, but I doubt that MS would go through the trouble of building two different versions of the same binary. But it's just my guess.



Thank you all for the helpful comments. It's really too bad that there are not a whole lot of info on what is possible with the Upgrade version, or the Full version.

2Cold Scorpio said:

A little insight from a thread over at Neowin: Question about Windows 7 - Neowin Forums

Not sure how accurate it is, but it is the best answer I've found so far. I also asked further questions in that thread that remain unanswered as of this post. ^_^

I guess we'll find out for sure in about 3 weeks unless Microsoft tells us beforehand...

Agreed, lots of unofficial answers. :) I wish that MS would release more info on the Windows 7 retail products, instead of spending $ asking people to host the awkward launch parties. Thanks for the link.

I still don't know the answer to the question at the top. My situation is that I have a version of Vista Home Premium UPGRADED from W2K. Can I buy the W7 upgrade or do I have to buy the full version? It would be preferable to save some money and buy the upgrade if it will work.

Brink has confirmed that you can do a clean install with the upgrade version of Windows 7.

Linky here.

Upgrades are working for clean installs to formatted HDD as laid out in the above tutorial link.

Once you get it installed be sure to use Win7 Backup Imaging to save an image externally so you won't ever have to do a reinstall.

And just to be sure, in case MS ever changes its mind on having the previous OS installed to Upgrade, keep your previous OS disks with your Upgrade disk.