Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Darryl Licht · 24 Oct 2009

VxThrasherxV said:

what im wanting to do when i get windows 7 is
completely get rid of vista and just keep 7
will "custom install" keep all my files on my hard drive?
i dont remember what i did with the beta but it kept all of my documents where they were and i dont wanna go get it if its gonna reformat my computer

Just curious from the pervious post

Just first use the Easy Transfer (migwiz.exe) tool to back up your settings and files there is a great tutorial on it here
Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

Howard Kaikow · 25 Oct 2009

Did somebody here state that installing Win 7 would cause recovery partitions to be deleted?

I find that hard to believe.

1, If the recovery partition is assigned a drive letter, Win 7 has no business touching it.

2. If the recovery partition has no drive letter, then Win 7 should be installed only in the space you have allocated for the Win 7 partition.

Where is it documented that the recovery partition goes bye bye after a Win 7 install?

gregrocker · 25 Oct 2009

Howard Kaikow said:

Did somebody here state that installing Win 7 would cause recovery partitions to be deleted?

I find that hard to believe.

1, If the recovery partition is assigned a drive letter, Win 7 has no business touching it.

2. If the recovery partition has no drive letter, then Win 7 should be installed only in the space you have allocated for the Win 7 partition.

Where is it documented that the recovery partition goes bye bye after a Win 7 install?

I have not read that here. Most advice I've read here is to make your recovery disks and then delete the partition since it is disabled anyway if/when Vista is deleted. It was also pointed out recently that Dell's recovery partition is different and should likely be kept since it has important tools and can still later recover the Vista if Vista is wiped. But I have not verified this.

polycue · 25 Oct 2009

zrtom said:

Gator,
You should fill in your system specs.
If your system is a Dell, installing Windows 7 does not disable your recovery partition. And Dells do not have a "create recovery disk set" process. The recovery is all contained in the D:\RECOVERY\Dell\Factory.wim file which is run through the F8 Windows Recovery enviroment by the files in the D:\RECOVERY\Tools folder. Again, that is if your system is a Dell.

Additionally, early reports indicate the mere existence of the D:\RECOVERY partition (which contains a Windows Preinstallation Environment besides the Factory.wim file and the Tools folder) obviates the need for tweaks or hacks to get an upgrade version of Windows 7 to clean install and activate on the first try.
Tom

It would probably still be advisable to do a Custom overwrite of the RC in order to preserve the Dell license for the XP or Vista.

cgh24 · 25 Oct 2009

I'm not so good on understanding computers so please be easy on me I want to clean install W7 home premium 64bit on my PC with current OS Vista home premium 64bit I curently have 2 internal Hard drives C and E plus an external Drive where I do my backups. do I need to do the partition to install W7 or can I install it on E ? please advice.

richc46 · 25 Oct 2009

As a Dell owner it is my understanding that the restore disks, that are received with Dell computers serve the same function as the Mfg installed
restored partition. The Discs restore the puter to the same state as it was on delivery to the user. I have also heard that if you install a new OS., the recovery drive will no longer be functional, making it necessary to use the disc. I am not speaking from personal experience, but from what I have picked up here and elsewhere.

gregrocker said:

Howard Kaikow said:

Did somebody here state that installing Win 7 would cause recovery partitions to be deleted?

I find that hard to believe.

1, If the recovery partition is assigned a drive letter, Win 7 has no business touching it.

2. If the recovery partition has no drive letter, then Win 7 should be installed only in the space you have allocated for the Win 7 partition.

Where is it documented that the recovery partition goes bye bye after a Win 7 install?

I have not read that here. Most advice I've read here is to make your recovery disks and then delete the partition since it is disabled anyway if/when Vista is deleted. It was also pointed out recently that Dell's recovery partition is different and should likely be kept since it has important tools and can still later recover the Vista if Vista is wiped. But I have not verified this.

gregrocker · 25 Oct 2009

richc46 said:

gregrocker said:

Howard Kaikow said:

Did somebody here state that installing Win 7 would cause recovery partitions to be deleted?

I find that hard to believe.

1, If the recovery partition is assigned a drive letter, Win 7 has no business touching it.

2. If the recovery partition has no drive letter, then Win 7 should be installed only in the space you have allocated for the Win 7 partition.

Where is it documented that the recovery partition goes bye bye after a Win 7 install?

I have not read that here. Most advice I've read here is to make your recovery disks and then delete the partition since it is disabled anyway if/when Vista is deleted. It was also pointed out recently that Dell's recovery partition is different and should likely be kept since it has important tools and can still later recover the Vista if Vista is wiped. But I have not verified this.

As a Dell owner it is my understanding that the restore disks, that are received with Dell computers serve the same function as the Mfg installed
restored partition. The Discs restore the puter to the same state as it was on delivery to the user.

Then you can delete the recovery partition since you have the disks to keep with your Win7 upgrade media and are covered if your backup image fails, or qualifying Vista/XP OS ever becomes required for reinstalling Upgrade.

Note: Deleting a Recovery partition in the first partition space after Win7 is installed requires running Startup Repair from the Win7 installer's boot mode Repair console.

Howard Kaikow · 26 Oct 2009

gregrocker said:

Howard Kaikow said:

Did somebody here state that installing Win 7 would cause recovery partitions to be deleted?

I find that hard to believe.

1, If the recovery partition is assigned a drive letter, Win 7 has no business touching it.

2. If the recovery partition has no drive letter, then Win 7 should be installed only in the space you have allocated for the Win 7 partition.

Where is it documented that the recovery partition goes bye bye after a Win 7 install?

I have not read that here. Most advice I've read here is to make your recovery disks and then delete the partition since it is disabled anyway if/when Vista is deleted. It was also pointed out recently that Dell's recovery partition is different and should likely be kept since it has important tools and can still later recover the Vista if Vista is wiped. But I have not verified this.

I will be creating a dual boot Vista/Win 7 system, so I dare not delete the recovery partition, and certainly not before the warranty expires.

In any case, I would restore from most recent image backup, not from recovery disks.

gregrocker · 26 Oct 2009

Howard Kaikow said:

gregrocker said:

Howard Kaikow said:

Did somebody here state that installing Win 7 would cause recovery partitions to be deleted?

I find that hard to believe.

1, If the recovery partition is assigned a drive letter, Win 7 has no business touching it.

2. If the recovery partition has no drive letter, then Win 7 should be installed only in the space you have allocated for the Win 7 partition.

Where is it documented that the recovery partition goes bye bye after a Win 7 install?

I have not read that here. Most advice I've read here is to make your recovery disks and then delete the partition since it is disabled anyway if/when Vista is deleted. It was also pointed out recently that Dell's recovery partition is different and should likely be kept since it has important tools and can still later recover the Vista if Vista is wiped. But I have not verified this.

I will be creating a dual boot Vista/Win 7 system, so I dare not delete the recovery partition, and certainly not before the warranty expires.

In any case, I would restore from most recent image backup, not from recovery disks.

Smart approach. Imaging ends reinstalls if saved externally in case of HDD failure.

Since you are concerned about preserving your recovery partition, which will most likely be disabled by Win7 install, be sure to make the recovery disks from it (or order them) to have as backup. These disks normally restore eveything including the recovery partition to factory condition.

But they also contain the bloatware, which is a good reason to dual boot with a fresh install of Win7, then copy your files between partitions via Explorer, even find drivers by browsing to the Vista partition's Windows>System32>Driverstore>File Repository.

november7286 · 26 Oct 2009

Ok, given this "new" information. What is the difference now between an upgrade disc or a full retail version. Because it almost sounds like they are one and the same. I know there probably has to be a difference, but I'm just missing it in all the information out there. I understand the "supposed to be differences". But it doesnt sound like its a "normal" upgrade, is the only reason I asked.