Solved Clean Reinstall Windows 7 Home Premium x 32bit

[Oldandweary]

When I purchased this generic computer I expected a clean installed version of Windows 7 x32bit. However what I received was a version updated from Vista. I have the Vista disk and a "Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program"disk, both with product keys.
My C drive (250Gb) contains only the operating system and programs, D drive (500Gb) is data only and F drive (External 1Tb) is used for backup.
I backup weekly including a system image. I do not have A "System Reserved" partition.
If at some time in the future I need to do a Re Format and Clean Install will I have to reinstall Vista, Update it and then use the Windows 7 disk or is there an alternative? I hope it never happens but I want to be prepared.

 

[cluberti]

You can do that, but if you can get full installation media from your OEM, you could also use that. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program disc came from the OEM that sold the original machine to the original owner - they purchased it with Vista right before Win7 was available, and got the upgrade disc for free. I can't say I've ever actually seen one, but from the description it sounds like any other upgrade disc. There is a tutorial here for installing clean from an upgrade disc, so you might be able to try that.

 

[gregrocker]

The Upgrade Kit which was offered with some Vista computers to keep sales up before Win7 was released has a bootable Win7 OEM installation DVD as required by MS of the manufacturers to participate.

As long as you still have the Product Key which came with the DVD you can clean reinstall without installing Vista first.

 

[Oldandweary]

Clean Re install Windows 7Home premium 32bit

Thanks Cluberti.
I am the original owner. The machine was built by a local computer shop that is no longer operating. The Upgrade disk is a genuine Microsoft product not a copy.
I suppose what I am asking is it the equivalent of a retail upgrade disk or the eqivalent of an OEM version.

 

[gregrocker]

I believe the Upgrade Kits which were offered as an incentive to keep selling Vista computers are OEM version. We have helped do several hundred of them here.

 

[Oldandweary]

Clean Re install Windows 7 Home premium 32 bit

Thanks Gregrocker. Really appreciated.
I intend to copy the tutorial and keep it handy.