Windows 7: Windows 7 Upgrade question

In the past when I've upgraded from one OS to another, I've always had issues down the road so with Windows 7, I only want to do a fresh install if necessary. I found the following info about Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade from Microsoft and I'm trying to make certain that I understand it, especially the part "ve bolded, underlined, and is in Red.

I have Windows 7 RC on my PC and two drives in Raid 0. If I were to buy the Upgrade, could I delete then recreate my raid (thus wiping the drives clean I believe) and use the Upgrade to do a fresh install?


The following text is from: Installing and reinstalling Windows

"Installing a custom version of Windows. Choose Custom to completely replace your current operating system, or to install Windows on a specific drive or partition that you select. You can also use Custom if your computer doesn't have an operating system, or if you want to set up a multiboot system on your computer."

It is not yet clear how the Upgrade media will work.

So far, it seems that you will need to have Windows 2000/XP/Vista already installed on the hard drive in order to upgrade. Windows 7 RC will most likely NOT qualify for the upgrade.

I just got this reply from Digital River:


"The Windows 7 offered in this promotion is a full version. You can
install this product even though you do not have a previous Operating
System installed in your computer or if you want to make a multi boot
using Windows 7. The "Upgrade" included in the product name is just
because Windows 7 is the latest Operating System Windows developed.

For more information please contact our pre-sales department at:

1-800-642-7676"

According the the Microsoft online store, Windows 2000 does NOT qualify for the upgrade version and will have to go with the full retail program.

Alright, thanks for the info. If that's true, then it means that the information previously provided by a so-called "MVP" and Moderator on Microsoft Technet turned out to be incorrect (Not that I didn't expect that to happen, it happens occasionally).

According to this link Windows 2000 does not qualify for the upgrade.
LINK

• 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).
• Running Earlier Versions?
• If you have Windows XP, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications. If you’re running Windows 2000, you’ll need to purchase the full product and do a clean install.

Yes I suppose information directly from Microsoft is more believable now isn't it

The problem is, Microsoft usually keeps things secret for way too long. So we have to rely on other sources to figure things out. It is not surprising when information changes or turns out to be wrong from the get go.

I agree... It would be nice if Microsoft would just let us know exactly what we're going to have to do so we can be prepared to make it as painless as possible. I have a new system ready to go but I don't know what to put on it yet.

Up until about 10 days ago Microsoft's sales pages did state that Windows 2000 qualified for upgrade to Windows 7.

See this thread for more info.

STILL confused about "Upgrade" installation process.

Last 2 pages of the thread cover the issue.