windows 7 clean install upgrade disc formatting question


  1. Posts : 17
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #1

    windows 7 clean install upgrade disc formatting question


    I have a laptop which has been giving me a hard time lately, and I need to reinstall windows 7 (for the 4th time in 1.2 years). I have never reformatted it before and all I have is the windows 7 upgrade disk that came with it (I got it back in September when all of those free upgrade deals were going on, it originally had vista.) I read that you can have activation issues after formatting the hard drive while installing using the upgrade disc. I think Microsoft let you do it if your email them to activate it, but I'm not sure and I don't know where you would do this. Since I don't feel like formatting it, installing vista, and then reinstalling 7, can anyone help?

    EDIT: Note that I am using the upgrade disk, but you can still do a clean install with the upgrade disk. However, my problem is that in order to be activated (even with a clean install) the upgrade needs to recognize that there was a previous version of windows on the computer. Because formatting erases this, it can cause a problem trying to activate.
    Last edited by Dmanrocks22; 27 Oct 2010 at 21:25. Reason: Clarification
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  2. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #2

    A clean install
    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version[2]=General Tips
    This is the best way to install
    If you do not want to have a clean install, you will just do an upgrade install. No format, a lot easier but the results are often less than adequate.
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  3. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #3

    Hello Dmanrocks22, welocme to Seven Forums!



    After you have made backups of anything you would not want to lose, the best thing would be to do a wipe (secure erase) to the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) a format does not remove any data at all but a wipe over-writes all data on the HDD giving you the best possible space to install Windows 7 to.

    Have a look at this tutorial at the link below then do the install how the link Rich posted says; and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.




    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
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  4. Posts : 17
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    More info


    richc46 said:
    A clean install
    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version[2]=General Tips
    This is the best way to install
    If you do not want to have a clean install, you will just do an upgrade install. No format, a lot easier but the results are often less than adequate.
    I said I was using the upgrade disk, however you can still do a clean install with the upgrade disk. You can even format the hard drive while you are doing this. However, my problem is that in order to be activated the upgrade needs to recognize that there was a previous version of windows on the computer. Because formatting erases this, it can cause a problem trying to activate. This is my issue.
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  5.    #5

    The issue is dealt with in the tutorial linked earlier: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

    You just have to do one of the workarounds if you wipe the HD or it's empty to start.

    If you have any OS on the HD, Win7 installer will see it to allow use of Upgrade version key even if you go on to delete, repartition and format using Custom>Drive Options. It should take the key upfront. If not, use the workarounds in tutorial.
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  6. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #6

    Ty Greg, for clearing up that point.
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  7. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #7

    I wouldn't tell you to do something that would not work; I assumed you would at least look at the tutorial.
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  8. Posts : 330
    Windows 7 Pro/32 Academic. Build 7600
       #8

    I had a upgrade disk only when I installed it on a clean, brand new system. I called Microsoft because it wouldn't accept the CD key. Without even blinking an eye, Microsoft walked me through the registry tutorial (posted above) Listen to the advice given, it's great advice. Read the tutorial, please.
    EDIT: By the way, Microsoft never even asked me if I had a previous version of windows installed. I didn't have to explain anything. They just wanted my legit. copy of Windows 7 up and running.
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