Windows 7 - Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I put my key in up front after booting from Upgrade installer, formatted the drive, installed and auto-activated. Others report the same. Is a format not clean enough to trigger your key-later requirement?

Am going to test it on a zeroed drive tomorrow.
EDIT UPDATE: My Amazon Upgrade disk didn't arrive til 10/25 and I just tried installing from boot to a zeroed drive. After installation the activation link on Computer>Properties would NOT accept the key. So I did an Upgrade (repair) install over that installation and it accepted the key afterward this time. It must require some kind of traces on the HDD of previous activation of qualifying OS.

this question has probably been answered time and time again, but I'll ask it anyway

i'll be putting windows 7 pro 64 bit upgrade version (student from digital river) on a bootable usb key or dvd. My system currently has vista home premium 32 bit on it.

When I boot from the key/dvd and select custom install to wipe vista 32-bit off it and do a clean install - will this mean the requirements for an upgrade version will have been met and not throw a wobbly when i insert the key at the end of it?

Hi,

I think there is confusion in the whole process because not all posts report using the same upgrade version. As far as I've read, there are:

a) downloaded from MS store
b) downloaded from digital river (student offer)
c) retail boxed pre-ordered at discount
d) retail boxed just purchased in store

it looks like the "upgrade installs as a full retail" works for c) and d), and "double upgrade install trick" works for a) and b)

Do you think this might explain the variability of success reported in this and other threads?

Yes. I'm betting it has something to do with this.

That sounds like it might explain things.

Wouldn't be surprised if this is because they first said you can 'upgrade' from Win2000.

This possibly could be a short lived perk for the early buyers.
Or maybe MS just decided to drop 40% off the price of their new OS, but I find this un-likely.

I have the upgrade version and did a clean install last night. However, I did get an error when trying to put the product code in:

"The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations."

I called Microsoft and told them I used to have XP but deleted it months ago since I was so happy with Windows 7 RC. They had me go to the registry and make a quick change and then I went to the command prompt and they had me type something. I am kicking myself now because I didn't write it down. If I do a clean install again, I may need this. Worked like a charm though. I will have to call them back. I still have the case #.

From what people are posting (including copies of emails from Digital River), the Digital River student versions are full versions that can be installed without any qualifying base operating system. In at least one email, Digital River went on to explain they have called them upgrade versions not by Microsoft's definition but by the fact that Windows 7 is an "upgrade" from anything out there because it's newer (not that the activation keys are upgrade keys).
Tom

Same here. Got an invalid product code when I tried to enter it. Tech support had me continue with nothing entered which completed the install. I was then guided through a Registry change and then some command prompt stuff and all is well.

I'm using a pre-ordered retail box Win 7 Upgrade version that states right on it that XP users will have to perform a clean install - which in my experience has usually meant on a reformatted drive (or partition).

R

This is the last time I will ask (for clarification purposes) because I don't want to annoy anyone that feels this has been asked/answered on here. But there is one thing I do not understand.

[This is w/ the retail upgrade 64 bit Windows 7 DVD preordered.]

Whether I (a) boot from DVD, custom install w/ format or (b) reformat hard drive then boot from DVD - do I get the SAME result? That result being a hard drive that is (1) sparkling clean, (2) reformatted and (3) with only Windows 7 on it.

Please let me know if I do get the same result and, if not, what is different.

THANK YOU ALL!!!


On a side note, I ordered this from Best Buy the DAY it came out. They are telling me I may not get it until the 29th. My delivery time was 22nd-29th. Absurd.

I think djjaeger82 has really stated it best. If you're using the upgrade disc (and key), you CAN repartition and reformat the drive, but you must do it from within the Windows 7 installer, and the drive must have Windows of some form (XP, Vista, 7) on it beforehand. If the drive is brand new, or you have wiped it via PartitionMagic or some other means BEFORE running the Windows 7 installer, the upgrade media and key will not activate (unless you install Windows 7 over the top a second time).

I have yet to see confirmation that someone with the Digital River update disc and key (because supposedly you can get the full version if you call them) has gotten a successful activation with a drive that is wiped BEFORE running the installer.

-HM