Confusion over W7 licences


  1. fredu
    Posts : 7
    Windows 7
       New #1

    Confusion over W7 licences


    Hi
    I am confused with the licence situation, and hope someone can help me understand my options.
    I purchased an 'upgrade' version of W7, which comes with 32 and 64bit DVDs.
    I started by doing what I normally do, and reformat all harddrives.

    I was given only one choice, to go for the 'custom' clean install. I did this, but the system refused to accept my licence key. I eventually resolved this to 'this is an upgrade key', and should ONLY be installed from an existing Vista installation

    So, reinstalled Vista, and installed W7 from there using the 'upgrade' option.

    But, some questions:
    Q1) Can I somehow perform a full 'custom' install with this key? did I make a mistake?
    Q2) As I have the 64bit os Disk, can I still install this version? This obviously requires a full 'clean' installation as well. Will my 'upgrade' key work?

    thanks
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  3. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #2

    fredu said:
    Hi
    I am confused with the licence situation, and hope someone can help me understand my options.
    I purchased an 'upgrade' version of W7, which comes with 32 and 64bit DVDs.
    I started by doing what I normally do, and reformat all harddrives.

    I was given only one choice, to go for the 'custom' clean install. I did this, but the system refused to accept my licence key. I eventually resolved this to 'this is an upgrade key', and should ONLY be installed from an existing Vista installation

    So, reinstalled Vista, and installed W7 from there using the 'upgrade' option.

    But, some questions:
    Q1) Can I somehow perform a full 'custom' install with this key? did I make a mistake?
    Q2) As I have the 64bit os Disk, can I still install this version? This obviously requires a full 'clean' installation as well. Will my 'upgrade' key work?

    thanks
    Hi fredu

    1) & 2) YES.

    Have a read:

    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

    Clean Install Windows 7

    https://www.sevenforums.com/installat...-problems.html
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  4. richc46
    Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       New #3

    Yes, an upgrade can perform a clean install. I use the term clean and custom interchangeably, but know the difference. If you want to make a clean install. Boot from the DVD, you may have to change your BIOS setting to boot from CD/DVD. Early in the process you will be required to chose and option, chose custom install. Click on the advanced option, to format. You will then proceed, until you are asked for your key. Do not give it at this point. Continue until you have an installation. Now, still do not give a key number. Use the system, install you programs and make sure that you are satisfied. Prior to 30 days, activate with your key. If your key is rejected you will be given the option to call a number, where you can activate over the phone. If this is unsucessful, a person will speak to you. Make sure you have your key number and possibly the key for the prior OS, if you are doing an upgrade. You are ready to go.

    My personal preference at this juncture is to make a OS image and put it away. Down the road if you have a problem, you do not need to reinstall, activate and all that nonsense. Just use your saved OS image. What I do is make a note of any big changes that I make to the system after I made the OS image. In this way, I could bring my OS back to where it was, after a problem, with very little effort.

    Now the most important part, enjoy, I know I am. Good luck
    Richard
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  6. fredu
    Posts : 7
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Thanks so much for the quick response. Very informative, will look into this this weekend.
    Again, thanks :)
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