Reformat gone bad - please help

Slartybart said:

Last answer, I promise. :3

Yes, an upgrade product key works on a downloaded Retail Windows 7 ISO

but I was not serious about "last answer" - just having a bit 'o fun.

Ask as many questions as you want, your previous post got me thinking and I asked some folks some questions. All questions are good, not so for all answers.

Haha, thanks Slartybart!

Does this mean the Upgrade key can also be transferred from PC to PC one at a time (like Retail)?
Or, is the Upgrade key stuck to the M/B it was first activated on (like OEM)?

Sorry I haven't encountered an Upgrade license myself, only OEM license and VL Build license.

Thanks for the response, theog. Regarding this,

theog said:

arayfo1 said:

but came pre-packaged with a Windows 7 upgrade disk.

NO need to download any ISO, as you have a good Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 DVD.

If I deduced correctly, does this mean an Upgrade CD can be also be used for a full clean install?

I may have taken the term "Upgrade" too literally and initially believed it is explicitly for upgrade purposes only. Someone kindly confirm.

kathy025 said:

If I deduced correctly, does this mean an Upgrade CD can be also be used for a full clean install?

I may have taken the term "Upgrade" too literally and initially believed it is explicitly for upgrade purposes only. Someone kindly confirm.

It can be but the Retail Upgrade will have a new license key with it. As Theog pointed out, the Vista, or any, OEM COA can't be used.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Kathy,

Take a look at the tutorial Theog posted, . Yes you can do a clean install using the upgrade disc.

To answer your other question "Does this mean the Upgrade key can also be transferred from PC to PC one at a time (like Retail)?"

No I don't believe so - but other members are more knowledgable re: MS licensing than I am.

theog said:

NO need to download any ISO, as you have a good Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 DVD.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Theog,

That was my 2nd plan if everything else failed. Tossing around making it the 1st plan. It would certainly make the process easier, maybe longer for a complete WU update, but SP1 and the hotfix rollup cut down on the number significantly.

Now the question I have is: Will the upgrade disc automatically provide the key at install time as would an OEM Recovery (restore to factory condition) install does. Or do you still have to input the key after the install.

I suspect that you have to input the key - just not sure.

The Vista COA is not valid for Win7. I understand the Vista key / Win7 Key.

Thanks,

Bill

I need to make sure that arayfo1 has a key to enter, it won't be printed on the DVD. It should be included with the packaging.

Or the install media provides the OEM SLP key.

theog said:

arayfo1 said:

Yes, both machines are 64 bit machines. The major difference is that one pc has Windows 8 while the other has Windows 7. I would like to note that my pc came from the factory with Windows Vista on it, but came pre-packaged with a Windows 7 upgrade disk. I'm mildly curious to know if it wouldn't be easier to install Vista and upgrade to Windows 7 via my old upgrade disk.

NO need to download any ISO, as you have a good Genuine Microsoft Windows 7 DVD.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I'm sorry Ray, I missed your post.

Taking my own advice "read the tutorial" tells me that the user will have to enter the product key