Windows 7: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

We do have a very strict policy that anyone found to purposely perform or recommend any illegal action will be permanently banned from the site, and I would personally turn them in to Microsoft to have their key deactivated.

This is exactly what I wanted to hear. Even if I could get away with it either way, it would drive me nuts knowing something about my setup was illegal in anyway. Thank you a million times over Brink.

Thank you for your involvement as well Vistaking. You ask just the right questions.


EDIT: Brink, that policy is a good one indeed, and is one reason why I asked you. I knew you would by honest about it.

Glad we could help Petey.

I was speaking as the ones that don't know . All of my software are legit !

No worries VK. We know you wouldn't do anything dumb like that.

That message was for those that didn't know as well.

Hi, I've read this whole thread, and while trying to keep it all straight in my head I still have a question;
I'm running an upgrade version of Windows 7 Ultimate, which I installed a couple years ago over a retail version of Vista Ultimate. Now I need a bigger C drive, and plan to install a new, larger SSD. It appears I'll have to use Option Three to reinstall Windows 7 Upgrade, is that right?
The instructions say to download the .bat file and save to the desktop. I assume it'll have to be saved to a flash drive or dvd as the desktop would be wiped clean after installing the new SSD.
When I did the Windows 7 Upgrade on this pc2 years ago, I also installed the Vista Ultimate 32 bit version on an older pc. That's been running with no problem since. But the thing is, that 32 bit version uses the same activation key as the original 64 bit version I replaced on this pc, with the Windows 7 upgrade.
My take on this is that Windows 7 upgrades are version dependant from the same activation key. Do I have this right?

Hello Swamped,

Yep, your Windows 7 product key number will be able to install both the 32-bit or 64-bit version of your Windows 7 Ultimate. However, the installation disc is either 32-bit or 64-bit, so you will need to have the correct one you want to install as well. Of course, you can only have one installed at the same time and not both.

Actually, I find that using OPTION FOUR works the best, but it does a take a bit longer to do.

OPTION THREE is mostly only for if you get that error message.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

So I go directly to Option Four, and do these two steps-
1) Clean Install Windows 7 beginning at, Here's How.

2) Once installed as above, go to Upgrade Install with Windows 7 , beginning at #9 (for a in-place Upgrade Install.

Right?

Correct, but you would start "2)" from step 4 and use step 9 when you get to it.

So after the completion of #1, I will have already installed the device drivers, and Windows Updates?

Not being picky, I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around this idea of a double installation process.