 | | Welcome to Windows 7 Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find solutions with any problems, errors or issues you are experiencing with Windows 7. The Windows 7 forum also covers news and updates and has an extensive Windows 7 tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks. | Windows 7 - Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version |
10-22-2009
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#1 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail Texas |
Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version Hello everyone,
Just to let you all know that I have confirmed that you can do either a clean install, custom install, or upgrade install with a retail Upgrade version of Windows 7 and activate it on a clean unallocated (blank) drive or partition without any other OS installed or with one installed. It does not matter.
For questions and more information on this, please see this tutorial: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
100% confirmed
Shawn
Last edited by Brink; 10-30-2009 at 12:26 PM..
Reason: Updating
| My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail CPU Core2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz 12MB Motherboard Gigabyte X48-DQ6 Memory 8 GB (4x2) DDR2 PC2-8500 1066 MHz Patriot Extreme Graphics Card BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC 512MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889A Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 17" eMachines E17T4 Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Tagan El-Diablo Full Tower w/ 250 mm Front & 120 mm Rear fan Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 2 x 750GB (RAID 0) Samsung HDD HD753LJ SATA 32MB Internet Speed 10.58 Mb/s Download and 1.12 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server |
10-22-2009
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#2 (permalink)
| | Win 7 X 7 home computers of all ages and types Venice da beach |
Thank you for clearing this up.
The past few days have been a constant battle against misinformation that an Upgrade clean install can be done from boot. Even some regulars have insisted this on thin evidence that the XP Upgrade installer could boot and ask for the qualifying OS key, something which hasn't been in effect since XP.
Similarly, the Vista upgrade over itself trick was specifically foreclosed by MS, ending any hope for a boot clean install. Or so we thought. Now we learn that the Vista trick itself works, and there is Paul Thurrot's workaround to avoid having to install over itself.
Last edited by gregrocker; 11-10-2009 at 09:22 PM..
| My System Specs | | OS Win 7 X 7 home computers of all ages and types |
10-22-2009
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#3 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail Texas |
You're most welcome Greg. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail CPU Core2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz 12MB Motherboard Gigabyte X48-DQ6 Memory 8 GB (4x2) DDR2 PC2-8500 1066 MHz Patriot Extreme Graphics Card BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC 512MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889A Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 17" eMachines E17T4 Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Tagan El-Diablo Full Tower w/ 250 mm Front & 120 mm Rear fan Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 2 x 750GB (RAID 0) Samsung HDD HD753LJ SATA 32MB Internet Speed 10.58 Mb/s Download and 1.12 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server |
10-22-2009
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#4 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Build 7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255) Austin, TX |
It is possible to do a clean install using an Upgrade version of Windows 7. Just be sure that you have the original install disks of either XP or Vista on-hand.
Microsoft has a tutorial here.
Quote from above link: Quote: - Locate the original installation disks for the programs currently on your computer.
- Insert the Windows 7 DVD and follow the instructions for a custom installation by selecting the Custom (advanced) installation option.
| My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Custom Build by Nibiru2008 Computer Shop OS Windows 7 Build 7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255) CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R F11 BIOS Memory Kingston HyperX T1 Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) SDRAM DDR2 1066 Graphics Card SAPPHIRE 100248L Radeon HD3850 512MB 256bit GDDR3 PCI-E Sound Card Onboard Realtek Azalia HD Audio w/Monsoon 5.1 speaker system Monitor(s) Displays SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor Screen Resolution 1680 x 1050 Keyboard KeyTronic Lifetime Series Model: LT Designer Black Full Size Mouse Logitech Trackman Wheel PSU Bgears B-Tarantula 550 watt with Pigtail Modular Cabling Case Lian Li PC-7F Black Anodized All Aluminum bottom PSU mount Cooling Xigmatek Nepartak S983 3-Pipe HDT CPU Cooler & 92mm PWM Fan Hard Drives Samsung F1 Spinpoint 500GB SATA II (AHCI Mode)
Western Digital WD500AAKS 500GB SATA II (AHCI Mode) Internet Speed 17 Mbps Down 2 Mbps Up Turbo RoadRunner Other Info AVG Internet Security v8.5.412 |
10-22-2009
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#5 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit |
But does that "clean" installation also REFORMAT your hard drive?
I am on Windows Vista HP 32-bit and have the Upgrade disc for Windows 7 HP 64-bit. What I WANT to do is reformat the drive and then install a clean, fresh copy of Windows 7.
Is that possible? If so, please explain how (not step-by-step, just what method I should use).
Thank you. (PS - My first post, so be kind!  ) | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number DELL m1530 OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Memory 4 GB Screen Resolution 1440x900 Hard Drives 250GB, 500GB (external) |
10-22-2009
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#6 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail Texas |
Hello SilverGator, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Yes, you can do a clean install (format) with your upgrade Windows 7 and activate it. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail CPU Core2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz 12MB Motherboard Gigabyte X48-DQ6 Memory 8 GB (4x2) DDR2 PC2-8500 1066 MHz Patriot Extreme Graphics Card BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC 512MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889A Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 17" eMachines E17T4 Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Tagan El-Diablo Full Tower w/ 250 mm Front & 120 mm Rear fan Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 2 x 750GB (RAID 0) Samsung HDD HD753LJ SATA 32MB Internet Speed 10.58 Mb/s Download and 1.12 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server |
10-22-2009
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#7 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Professional 32-bit |
Similar query to SilverGator's, but I am a few steps further down the road. Have a fully-licensed XP machine. Decided to also install a new larger hard drive. Disconnected XP drive while I installed Build 7600 on the new one. Tried to activate when I got the MS email today for the upgrade I bought during the half-price special in June. Of course MS says no go 'cause it's a clean install. Doh, I should have know better.
Do you see a work around, or do i need to backtrack quite a bit? Sorry in advance if this should have been in a separate post.
BTW i read the entire "clean install" link above and saw nothing that would help.
mastman
Last edited by mastman; 10-22-2009 at 05:10 PM..
Reason: added follow-up note to show I was trying!
| My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Professional 32-bit |
10-22-2009
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#8 (permalink)
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Quote: Originally Posted by Brink Hello SilverGator, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Yes, you can do a clean install (format) with your upgrade Windows 7 and activate it. 
So, you are confirming that with the upgrade media and no operating system on the hard drive whatsoever, you can simply install this clean and then input the upgrade key when you have finished and it will activate.
From your tutorial, i see no proof being gathered whatsoever that you ever had a previous copy of a Microsoft based operating system. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self-Built in July 2009 OS Windows 7 64-bit CPU Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.20Ghz Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EP35-UD3R rev. 1.1, F9 BIOS Memory 8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800 Graphics Card EVGA 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9800GTX+ Sound Card Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio Monitor(s) Displays 23" Acer x233H Screen Resolution 1920x1080 Keyboard Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 Mouse Logitech G9 Laser Mouse PSU Corsair 620HX modular Case Antec P182 Cooling stock Hard Drives Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS Internet Speed 15/1 cable modem Other Info Windows and Linux enthusiast. |
10-22-2009
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#9 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail Texas |
Hello Mastman, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Yeah, you will not be able to activate the RTM 7600 (full) with a upgrade product key. You can try doing a Custom install from the RTM to your upgrade copy, and activate afterwards.
Hope this helps,
Shawn | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail CPU Core2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz 12MB Motherboard Gigabyte X48-DQ6 Memory 8 GB (4x2) DDR2 PC2-8500 1066 MHz Patriot Extreme Graphics Card BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC 512MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889A Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 17" eMachines E17T4 Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Tagan El-Diablo Full Tower w/ 250 mm Front & 120 mm Rear fan Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 2 x 750GB (RAID 0) Samsung HDD HD753LJ SATA 32MB Internet Speed 10.58 Mb/s Download and 1.12 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server |
10-22-2009
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#10 (permalink)
| | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail Texas |

Quote: Originally Posted by pparks1 
Quote: Originally Posted by Brink Hello SilverGator, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Yes, you can do a clean install (format) with your upgrade Windows 7 and activate it. 
So, you are confirming that with the upgrade media and no operating system on the hard drive whatsoever, you can simply install this clean and then input the upgrade key when you have finished and it will activate.
From your tutorial, i see no proof being gathered whatsoever that you ever had a previous copy of a Microsoft based operating system. Hi Parks,
Yes, that's what I am confirming.
I created a new unallocated 40GB partition, then proceded to do a clean install of the Upgrade Windows 7 Home Premium. After installing, I manually activated it without a problem and got the Genuine Software logo. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail CPU Core2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz 12MB Motherboard Gigabyte X48-DQ6 Memory 8 GB (4x2) DDR2 PC2-8500 1066 MHz Patriot Extreme Graphics Card BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC 512MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889A Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 17" eMachines E17T4 Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Tagan El-Diablo Full Tower w/ 250 mm Front & 120 mm Rear fan Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 2 x 750GB (RAID 0) Samsung HDD HD753LJ SATA 32MB Internet Speed 10.58 Mb/s Download and 1.12 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:17 PM. |  |