Going to be buying Windows 7 but confused...

Hey guys I'm going to be purchasing Windows 7 soon and I'm planning on upgrading my Vista 32-bit Home Premium to a Windows 7-64 bit Home Premium but I kinda hit a wall. When I was doing research online to see the pricing of the packages for Windows 7 I noticed there was an option to choose either the "Upgrade" version of Windows 7 or the "Full" version and the full is nearly an additional $100. I did more digging and I learned thanks to this forum, you can perform a "clean install" on an "Upgrade" version via booting from disk before launching the OS and save money rather than buying the "Full" version. So what is the big difference between the two?

Oh one more thing before I mess up or something when I do a custom install should I delete my previous OS or format it?

The Upgrade disk can be legally used for a clean install only if one owns a previous qualifying license (XP/Vista), its an honor system. A full version can be used without such a requirement. As a result, the upgrade version is somewhat restricted. In your case E.g. you have an OEM vista I think. So lets say you move to win7 with the upgrade disk, now say after a few months this computer dies- to use the upgrade disk with another computer you'll need another qualifying license (XP, Vista) because as per EULA the vista oem license will die with the original computer.

OTOH, a full license is freely transferable as long its being used on only one computer at a given time. But yes, the price difference is substantial.

Regarding the install, yes I would format the existing windows partition (using the drive options offered), then install win7 there. If you dont, a windows.old folder will be created containing files from the previous windows install- these files can actually be recovered from that folder so if you've already backed up everything important, you can ignore this option. There are good tuts here, go through those.

I would definitely go with the upgrade disk. Much cheaper if you already have a licensed copy of windows whatever. Create the repair disks and create a system image (if you can with the home premium edition I am not sure) to make sure you protect yourself against failures. Remember if your going from 32bit to 64bit you cant simply do an upgrade it is going to be a clean install. I backed up the files I wanted then formatted the drive (using the options supplied in the OS installation guide). Thats just me.

Once installed, there's no difference in the two choices. Home Premium x64 will be installed either method or disc you choose.

Bill2 said:

The Upgrade disk can be legally used for a clean install only if one owns a previous qualifying license (XP/Vista), its an honor system. A full version can be used without such a requirement. As a result, the upgrade version is somewhat restricted. In your case E.g. you have an OEM vista I think. So lets say you move to win7 with the upgrade disk, now say after a few months this computer dies- to use the upgrade disk with another computer you'll need another qualifying license (XP, Vista) because as per EULA the vista oem license will die with the original computer.

OTOH, a full license is freely transferable as long its being used on only one computer at a given time. But yes, the price difference is substantial.

Regarding the install, yes I would format the existing windows partition (using the drive options offered), then install win7 there. If you dont, a windows.old folder will be created containing files from the previous windows install- these files can actually be recovered from that folder so if you've already backed up everything important, you can ignore this option. There are good tuts here, go through those.

Thanks for they advice guys!

Bill2 I checked my If my Windows copy is genuine and it is, but you also correct it is an OEM like what you said. What does that OEM mean? Will it hold me back on some things?

Ok thanks Bare Foot Kid

No I haven't, I'll take a look! Thanks once again!