You can upgrade activated XP/Vista/RC to your new HDD with a clean formatted Custom install by unplugging all but XP/VIsta/RC drive and the new target drive which is formatted Primary. Custom install to the target, then change cables or BIOS boot order on target drive to boot first, mark active, run startup repair and you have a clean formatted Win7 upgrade install on your new HDD>
Last edited by gregrocker; 20 Oct 2009 at 15:58.
Incorrect. If upgrade wasn't possible, you'd have to buy the full version of Windows 7. But since you can use the upgrade media to move from XP to 7, THAT IS AN UPGRADE no matter if you have to do a custom install or not (If you do not trust me, see the attached chart created by Microsoft).
If what you are actually arguing is that you cannot do an IN-PLACE upgrade, I would agree with it. What I don't agree with is when you state one cannot upgrade from XP to 7.
Another option is to buy an OEM version off Newegg. They're full versions that run for around the same price as the upgrade versions, without the need for a previous OS to be installed. The downside is, once activated, it's locked to that hardware, although it's nothing a quick phone call to Microsoft can't fix if you upgrade. :)
+1 You can read a ton more about install issues from MS experts in the Technet Install forum. You can def install Win7 upgrade to an activated XP over itself (files go in windows.old for redistribution but require program reinstalls), to a second formatted partition, or even a second plugged primary formatted HDD which you afterward mark active, set in BIOS as boot drive and run start up repair. .
L.P., gregrocker and sup3rsprt are correct.
It can be a bit confusing using the terminology 'Upgrade'. It is used to describe the OS version, you can use the Upgrade version to upgrade your OS from XP/Vista to Win7.
Then there is the installation procedure, Upgrade, Custom or Clean install.
These are two different subjects, they just happen to use the same term, Upgrade.
The OP's question is about using the 'Upgrade version of Win7' to install via the Custom installation method, which can be done.
So what you are saying is that if I have XP installed on a drive and do a custom insatll (Clean) windows 7 will create a separate partition for itself and leave the XP in an old partition?? If I want to only have Windows 7 I should do a full version and start from the new formatted disk??
Thanks
If you want only Windows 7 from an Upgrade disk then your options are:
1) start the installer from the XP desktop, choose the same partition for install. It will overwrite your XP and place all of your files in windows.old folder for resdistribution (delete it later).
2) plug in a second formatted primary HDD, install from XP desktop to this target HDD, afterwards unplug XP drive and plug cable into Win7 drive (or change boot order in BIOS), mark active, run Startup repair. THis is the only way to get an Upgrade disk install to formatted metal.
In either case, as soon as you get your Windows 7 configured like you want it, use the Win7 backup imaging utility to make an image of your install and store it externally. This way you will never have to reinstall both OS again, just reimage the HDD in 20 minutes or so.
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