Building new Computer, Installing Windows 7

[NewUser10]

Hi, I'm trying to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. I'm currently in the process of building a new computer and I'm wondering if I should buy Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade. I want to install Windows 7 on my new Computer (which will have a new hard drive). What I'm wondering is, will I be able to do this considering I won't have Windows XP installed on my new computer. Will I have to install Windows XP on my new comp before I upgrade? Any help on the subject would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[ken9122]

You would be best off getting the Full version. An upgrade would need xp or vista already installed. If you trying to save a few bucks consider an OEM verision.

Ken

 

[Darician]

You can always do a Windows 7 on top of Windows 7 to avoid paying the higher price or just buy OEM, which is generally cheaper and lets you install it on that PC. The only legal caveat to that is the license is then attached to that one and only PC.

 

[gregrocker]

You do not have to have XP installed to use the Upgrade version, only have it on hand to qualify. If you have retail XP then you are wasting money to buy the full version.

You will however need to use one of the workarounds for it to accept the Upgrade key when the installer is booted with no other OS on the HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Perhaps the easiest is to not insert the Product Key during first install, then immediately run an Upgrade install over itself from the desktop which will allow inserting the Upgrade version key. There is also a registry workaround in the tutorial. These are allowed as a courtesy so we don't have to reinstall the qualifying XP/Vista every time.

 

[NewUser10]

Thanks for all the replies!! So if I have no other OS on the HD, I cannot do a clean install? What would even happen if I did not enter a product key during my first install?

 

[Darician]

Technically you can, the problem is you wouldn't be able to activate it without following the steps in the tutorial.

 

[Wishmaster]

If the HD is brand new, you can install with a upgrade disc with no issue at all.

Further reactivations involve a workaround.
Such not putting key in until after instal, and do the activate by phone method.

 

[gregrocker]

So if I have no other OS on the HD, I cannot do a clean install? What would even happen if I did not enter a product key during my first install?

Yes, you can do the clean install by not inserting your key at first, and unchecking "Activate when I connect to the internet."

Then when you get to the desktop, run an Upgrade install over itself and it will accept the key. Or do the registry workaround in tutorial.

If you don't insert the key at all, you have 30 days before you have to activate at Computer>Properties link. So you can take some time to do one of the the workarounds if you need.

 

[NewUser10]

Alright sounds pretty simple guys, thanks for all your help. What I wanna know is why doesn't everyone just buy the Windows Upgrade version if you can install without already having XP or Vista installed. How would they even know you've purchased Windows XP or Vista before?

 

[Darician]

The real answer is they wouldn't. And there is technically nothing stopping anyone from doing it. It's more or less a legalese issue than anything else. Officially, I have to say that you must purchase the full version of Windows if you don't own any qualifying versions to upgrade from. Unofficially, what you do is your business.

And the fact is, a lot of people will qualify for upgrades as most people have at least one computer with Windows 2000 or XP.

 

[cluberti]

As long as that 2000 or XP install isn't OEM (and thus tied to that other computer), you could indeed use an existing stand-alone 2000 or XP as a qualifying license (you just can't use that 2000 or XP license again legally, as it is also tied to the Win7 machine you installed the Win7 upgrade license on). I'd suggest what others have suggested, buy the upgrade or an OEM copy and do a clean install with one of those, preferably the OEM license - it will save you some money, and you'll have the same Windows 7 install on the other end as you would with a full retail version.

 

[bobkn]

The real answer is they wouldn't. And there is technically nothing stopping anyone from doing it. It's more or less a legalese issue than anything else. Officially, I have to say that you must purchase the full version of Windows if you don't own any qualifying versions to upgrade from. Unofficially, what you do is your business.

And the fact is, a lot of people will qualify for upgrades as most people have at least one computer with Windows 2000 or XP.

Does Windows 2k qualify for the use of a Win7 upgrade license? I though that Microsoft eliminated that option.

(I believe that some people pre-ordered Win7 based on some statements on MS web sites that were later changed. MS may have accomodated those people on a one-by-one basis.)

 

[ken9122]

Since the OP is building a new system and needs to purchase some verision of Win 7 here is the bottom line as i see it. Prices from Newegg for comparison only.
Win HP OEM $99.00
Win HP upgrade $109.00
Win HP Full S 179.00
prices for pro a few bucks more.
I still recommended that the OP go with the OEM.

Ken

 

[gregrocker]

The problem with OEM is that it cannot migrate, and there are only spotty reports of MS allowing a change of mobo so this cannot be relied upon.

For $10 more with Upgrade you have the flexibility to migrate your OS to any machine of your choice, as long as qualifying XP/Vista are also retail and not OEM tied to hardware.

 

[Darician]

I've done the change of motherboard with an OEM version of Vista and it went through smoothly. Had to change it because the old one died out on me. Funny story though, with the new one, I went to reinstall Vista on it about a year and a half later and it wouldn't activate at first. But then all of a sudden after using the rearm trick after 30 days twice, somehow during the 3rd month, it just out of the blue allowed me to activate.