I am trying to buy windows 7 premium and the only version on the microsoft website I see is upgrade. Can't find the full version.. for full version I have to go to microsoftstore.ca. My question is would upgrade work if I format the hard drive and start from scratch.. a microsoft agent I talked to a couple months ago told me upgrade isn't for format and start from scratch. But just asking here anyway.
You CAN buy an upgrade copy and use it as a full version. The Microsoft Agent told you, that you couldn't as it would mean they lose some money.
Take a look at this tutorial by Brink.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
If you have any retail copy of XP or Vista, or have either pre-installed on the machine you plan to use Win7 on, then you're entitled to use Win7 upgrade version.
Both upgrade and full retail use the same installer - only the key determines the licensed version.
You do not need to pre-install XP or Vista to use the upgrade media although for legal purposes you must have a valid (OEM, retail or upgrade from previous os)copy of XP or Vista. You can do a custom clean install to a new drive after you format it.
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
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