clean install with upgrade

Is it possible to do a clean install with upgrade version of home premium or ultimate? Meaning format everything first and then use the Windows 7 upgrade dvd to install it from scratch?

then what is the full version for if it costs twice as much?

richc46 said:

If you do not have a supporting system to upgrader from.

you mean no OS installed before?! doesn't make sense or did you mean something else?

dfs said:

then what is the full version for if it costs twice as much?

Legally, to use the Upgrade disks, you must have a qualifying license for a previous version of Windows (XP or Vista). There is no such restriction with the Full version, that is why the price difference. The workaround that other members have told you about (Clean Install with the Upgrade version) is legal only if you satisfy that criteria, otherwise it is "not properly licensed".

This is how the ZDnetblogger, Ed Bott puts it:

The answer is really simple. If you qualify for an upgrade license, then yes, you can use any number of work-arounds to install the operating system legally. If you don't qualify for an upgrade license, then those same workarounds might technically succeed, but your license is not valid.

Will you get away with it? Probably. But if you're running a business, you run the risk that an employee will turn you in to the Business Software Alliance, which could lead to an audit, civil charges, and eventually some stiff penalties.

My dell laptop came with vista intalled on it and have the product key. Does that mean I get an upgrade and can legally do a clean install?