New
#1
Installing an Windows 7 upgrade to a clean hardrive?
Is it possible to install a fresh copy of Windows 7 Upgrade (Genuine Retail Copy) onto a completely new hardrive without having any previous Operating Systems?
Installing an Windows 7 upgrade to a clean hardrive?
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Posts : 9,606 Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
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New #3
Yes. I think the caveat is that you are supposed to OWN an earlier qualifying OS---it doesn't have to actually be installed.
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New #4
I looked at that before. It says you have to have a qualifying previous Windows Operating system. Which is where I'm lost.
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New #5
If your computer originally came preinstalled with XP or Vista ( or previous retail XP or Vista version was installed ) than you can clean install an upgrade version of windows 7.
Also a COA or sticker of the previous OS would be located on the side of the computer with previous OS info and product key for OEM.
for previous proof of retail OS you must possess previous OS disk with valid product key on case.
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New #6
Dear Eblim,
You can safely go ahead and install the retail copy of the Win.7 you've bought! I am the standing example! Now i am typing on my desktop, but i have a Todhiba satellite laptop too!
The lappy got infected with a massive dose of Rootkits! Win.XP was the prior version of OS on it. I had to do a "scrubbing of the HD" with ERASER, so that these persistent pests were removed for sure! Many a times ,folks infected with Rootkits can vouch, a simple formatting won't be enough! So, with this scrubbing ,all the evidence of a prior XP were also erased!
My installation of Win.7 Ultimate went as smooth as butter and you can confidently go ahead:). All the best
Regards,
Sreedhav
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New #7
When You boot the Win7 installer, it scans the system for any other OS, which will then pass a flag allowing use of Upgrade version key - even if you go on to use Custom>Drive options to delete/repartition/format the HD.
If you've wiped the HD or have a new or clean HD, the installer cannot see an OS so it doesn't allow Upgrade version key upfront during install. Leave the key box blank, after install do the quick registry edit in the link Doc posted, then activate at Computer>Properties.
Under the EULA you need to have qualifying Vista or XP which came preinstalled on the machine but does not have to be installed, or which you bought retail and have on hand. During the time it is qualifying for upgrade version, it should not be used.
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