This is no different to when I first got XP. Although it was an upgrade version, you didn't actually have to have an OS installed (it would clean install), but it would ask you to insert qualifying media (in my case, Win98SE) before it proceeded.

My own objection to this (and I ADMIT that I didn't actually read the article!) is that, in my case, I used Vista as the qualifying OS, not Win7 -- which is in agreement with the upgrade terms.

So, as long as they allow you to enter a Vista key, then this is OK.

alphanumeric said:

I glanced at the article. It's for "People who bought a Windows 7 PC on or after June 2". I would think that Vista doesn't qualify?

The terms are that if you buy a PC with Win 7 on it between the qualifying dates you are entitled to the upgrade, but you don't have to install it on that machine, you can install on any machine running a qualifying (ie legal) version of Windows.

From my own experience of going through this upgrade process, I don't understand how this is going to make a difference, it is possible (nay even recommended) to grab an ISO copy of your upgrade, and then a clean install is possible.

To even qualify for the upgrade, you need a legal and recently bought copy of Windows, if windows asks you for a genuine product key, and the machine you are installing on is not running genuine windows, would you not just put the key from the COA sticker in? You must have at least one genuine license key to upgrade, so I don't see how its going to make a difference.

DRM for the sake of DRM I say - Also Mark in your case, I imagine the COA key for the machine you bought rather than the machine you plan to install it on would do.

If I download the $14.99 deal, do they give me a Product ID or do I use the same Win 7 ID?