Windows 7 - Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

**Brink** · 10-24-2009

How to Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

...

Click here to read the entire tutorial

**m00nd0g** · 03-08-2010

Nice tutorial Brink , Though i'm curious about something . Even knowing those methods work ? How are we to know later Microsoft doesn't lock up all upgrade version install without any previous versions ? Didn't they mention thats what they will do ?

More or less what they stated below

If you do not have a valid qualifying previous version of Windows, then you are violating the terms of Microsoft's Windows 7 End User License Agreement and could get your product key number invalidated by Microsoft. Plus, it is considered illegal.

Thanks

**Brink** · 03-08-2010

Hello M00nd0g,

If you have ever activated another qualifying Windows (say Vista) on that computer, then Microsoft will have a record of it being activated on that particular computer last thus fulfilling your EULA agreement as long as you do not install and activate that say Vista on any computer while you have the upgrade Windows 7 installed.

**m00nd0g** · 03-10-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Hello M00nd0g,

If you have ever activated another qualifying Windows (say Vista) on that computer, then Microsoft will have a record of it being activated on that particular computer last thus fulfilling your EULA agreement as long as you do not install and activate that say Vista on any computer while you have the upgrade Windows 7 installed.

Hello Brink,

Thats true enough . I thought you also mention you could do this on a clean blank new drive ?

Thanks

**Brink** · 03-10-2010

Yes you can.

**m00nd0g** · 03-10-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Yes you can.

When you say yes , do you mean that a previous version must be install first or none at all ? Just using the upgrade disc only ?

**SenojNW** · 03-10-2010

Hey Brink
Nice tuturial - thanks.

Just wondering how a clean install would go if you are installing new core hardware (mobo, cpu, video) prior to the upgrade? Hard drive will stay the same. I've posted here with my query - hope you can help?

Quote:

Hi
I have a legit copy of Vista 32 installed and have just bought an upgrade disk for Windows 7.

I see there are a few ways to achieve a clean install:
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I'm also planning to upgrade most of my core hardware at the same time (mobo, CPU, video, RAM) so I'm just wondering what the best approach would be in my case?

Do a standard "in place" upgrade from Windows before the hardware upgrade and then a
clean install once the new hardware is installed?

I would want a clean install at some point to make sure it is all running smoothly.

Thanks

Ta

**Brink** · 03-11-2010

Hello Senoj, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I would recommend that you install all of your new hardware first, then have all of the Windows 7 driver installation files handy to install them after installing Windows 7. After installing the new hardware, you should have no problem doing only a clean install of a retail upgrade Windows 7 version using this one of the methods in this tutorial.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**motc7** · 03-18-2010

This is one of my favorite reg hacks. Honestly Microsoft should have not allowed the clean install option to even be available if they wanted to protect heir precoius profits.

ilcaa · 03-24-2010

Would this install method ALSO clean your hard-drive of any previously installed apps?, meaning all your apps will have to be re-installed again?

sort of an important issues with me since some of my apps will be very troublesome to re-install and I am weighing which Windows 7 install method would be best for me...

Wants:
1. Completely remove VISTA from my HD..Completely!
2. Not need to reinstall any of my third party apps that I have installed previously..

let me know if i can accomplish both!

**Brink** · 03-24-2010

Hello Ilcaa,

I'm sorry, but anytime that you do a clean or custom install, you will have to reinstall your programs and drivers.

The only way not to have to reinstall your programs is to do a inplace-upgrade from Vista to Windows7. However, it does not remove Vista completely for a fresh install of Windows 7 instead, and you will still need to install Windows 7 driver versions.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Windows 7 - Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version problems?