Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

unoplayer · 15 Jan 2012

My bad for that poorly worded question. I meant, "Is there a big difference in performance?" between the two methods. Thanks.

Brink · 15 Jan 2012

UnoPlayer,

Oh, sorry. No, there's no difference in performance between the two other than a custom install using a bit more HDD space for the Windows.old folder. :)

Britton30 · 16 Jan 2012

I'll verify that I've used both a retail and an upgrade for a clean install, both take 30-40 minutes or so. Much better than the XP set up will complete in 39 minutes. Then an hour later...

benjoo · 16 Jan 2012

Sorry I don't understand
But does this work as in I can buy the upgrade version and install it on a machine thats got no OS on it or previously?

Brink · 16 Jan 2012

Hello Benjoo, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The tutorial will allow you to be able to do a clean install with a retail upgrade copy of Windows 7 instead of having to install a previous edition of Windows (ex: Vista) then upgrading it to Windows 7.

In agreement with the EULA (End User License Agreement) of Microsoft Windows, you need to own a legal copy of a qualifying previous version of Windows to legally be able to just do a clean install with a upgrade copy of Windows like this. This is why upgrade copies are cheaper than full retail copies. Please see the red warning box at the top of the tutorial and the links in it to get a more detailed explanation of this to help.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

raven2510 · 27 Jan 2012

Ok, so I read the entire post...let me make sure I'm getting this right.

I have an old dell laptop I purchased years back that has Windows XP Pro on it. Now the screen broke on it a year ago, so its been in its case since then. I'm planning a new build and I have a legally purchased Windows 7 Upgrade copy/key. I'm planning on pulling the HDD from the busted laptop.

So if I'm understanding this right, I can install Win7 on the new build and use the key from the old HDD right?
Which key do I need to input? The Win7 upgrade key or the Win XP key from the drive?

Thanks

Brink · 27 Jan 2012

Hello Raven, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but incorrect.

The key from the old laptop is a OEM product key number, and can only be used to activate the Windows XP Pro that was originally on the computer it was first activated on and not on any other computer ever.

When you install Windows 7 on the new build, you will need to use the product key number that came with the Windows 7 instead to be able to activate it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

raven2510 · 27 Jan 2012

Brink said:

Hello Raven, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but incorrect.

The key from the old laptop is a OEM product key number, and can only be used to activate the Windows XP Pro that was originally on the computer it was first activated on and not on any other computer ever.

When you install Windows 7 on the new build, you will need to use the product key number that came with the Windows 7 instead to be able to activate it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

So I can use the upgrade key that came with my Win7 upgrade pack for a new install on a new system? I just wanna make sure I'm understanding this right.

Brink · 27 Jan 2012

Yep, that would be correct. :)

raven2510 · 27 Jan 2012

Brink said:

Yep, that would be correct. :)

Well thats great. Thanks alot.