Upgrade dvd: vista to 7 in different language using custom install

Back up your files externally, make your Recovery Disks so you have a path back to factory condition, or save a Backup Image of the entire HD first. Back up installed drivers from windows/system32/drivers, run an audit of installed hardware and software including keys using Belarc Advisor. Gather your program installers.

Boot the Windows 7 installer, choose Custom Install, then Drive Options (Advanced) to Delete all partitions not needed, following illustrated steps given here: Clean Install Windows 7

You will not need a workaround to use Upgrade Key if you don't wipe the HD first, as the DVD will see the previous installation and accept Key even if you use Drive Options to delete/create/format.

If you Delete all partitions to create New ones and Format, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Options menu. Partition as you wish and Format before installing to first OS partition.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates several times.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager . As a last resort you can browse to the Vista drivers backed up from C:/Windows/system32/drivers.

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner Disk and Registry tabs, then Puran boot-time defragger after adding it's Intelligent Optimizer on Additional Operations tab.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/Puran-Defra...-75115626.html

Finally save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD (or replacement) using DVD/Repair CD with the stored image. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Wow, thanks.

You clearly state that, aside from the 100mb System Reserved boot partition, the installation method as you so nicely described is indeed a 100% clean install. Also Wishmaster's answer points into this direction.

Therefor, my second question has a clear answer. Thanks to both.

P.s.: please tell me you didn't write this post just for me. That it is a copy-paste that you use for these kind of questions!

Johnfisher said:

please tell me you didn't write this post just for me. That it is a copy-paste that you use for these kind of questions!

..and Customize just for you!

Reinstalling Windows 7

Let us know how it goes.

I seem to have found the answer to my first question (answer: yes): Upgrade from Windows XP/Vista to Windows 7: Product key & language version questions

So I will order the English upgrade media, and try it myself. If it works, I will confirm this here for a definitive answer.

Will be continued in a couple of days... :)

Some odd answers on that thread :

You'll be unable to boot from a Windows 7 Upgrade DVD to perform a clean install.

The installer won't allow booting from install disk to install on a machine with no OS in place if the install key is an upgrade key.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...4-3a06da05f2a9