Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

[lightsun47]

Is it possible to perform a clean install (on a blank hard drive) with Windows 7 Upgrade media?

I tested this out today and Yes, this is possible.

In short, boot your computer from the Windows 7 DVD select a custom install. Let it install on your system, when prompted for a serial number leave it blank and finish the steps in the activation wizard. This will allow you to use the software in a 30 day evaluation mode. Note at this point you will not be able to activate the software as it will return "Code: 0xC004F061 Description: The software licensing service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations." Then insert the DVD into your computer (if not already in there) and this time select an "upgrade." Once this reinstallation process has finished you should enter the serial number provided with the upgrade media and it will activate successfully!

Hi,
I have a problem. I had Vista 32 bit installed previously (original retail copy). I bought Windows 7 Premium 64 bit UPGRADE version, but I didn't knew that I need to have Vista already installed in my hard drive in-order to "Upgrade" to Windows 7. So, unknowingly, I had clean formatted my hard drive and installed Windows 7 upgrade version in my empty hard drive. Now, when I had that problem with activating online (cause I had no Vista installed now), I skipped the step, but I have only 30 days now to register. So, can you please confirm this that I can wait till the last day and re-install the software and can successfully activate my upgrade version without installing Vista again?

P.S. If I cannot do this, then is it possible for me install Vista in my partition temporarily in order to activate Windows 7 upgrade version anyhow by not installing in the main partition with Windows 7? Thanks in advance.

 

[gregrocker]

You do not need to have Vista installed to use the Upgrade version. Use the workaround here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

If you don't want to do the registry workaround, then pop in your Win7 DVD to run Setup from the desktop to do a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R which will reset activation to allow Upgrade version key.

 

[omarone]

I have been hesitant to purchase my W7 upgrade (been on Vista Home Premium 64bit) only because the idea of an upgrade and not a complete "fresh" install doesn't fit right with me. I found this forum 2day, I purchased my upgrade this morning and followed the instructions to do a "clean install" and it couldn't have gone any smoother. Thanks and I am glad I found this place.....

 

[myzr7]

I have been hesitant to purchase my W7 upgrade (been on Vista Home Premium 64bit) only because the idea of an upgrade and not a complete "fresh" install doesn't fit right with me. I found this forum 2day, I purchased my upgrade this morning and followed the instructions to do a "clean install" and it couldn't have gone any smoother. Thanks and I am glad I found this place.....

omarone, Wish you welcome to SevenForums. Glad that you found us and that your install was a success. Hope you enjoy the Windows 7 upgrade. We have lots of Good info in the tutorial section as you have seen.
My favorite tut is the copy to folder tip for putting that in the right click commands. Maybe you would like it also here is the link.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/516-context-menu-add-copy-folder-move-folder.html

 

[Rathex]

Just purchased my new computer from cyberpowerinc.com and chose to skip out on the OS in order to buy it for cheap here at school. Unfortunately, OSU does not offer a full version of any Windows OS and instead, only upgrades of Vista and 7.

After hearing that a clean install of Windows 7 Upgrade could be done, I went ahead with the risk of failure and bought it. After reading many guides on clean installing W7 Upgrade, I have managed to get as far as completely installing and loading the OS. At the moment I am typing this on my laptop while my desktop sits at the main screen after the general log-in.

What I did in the installation was take djjaeger82's suggestion of not typing the product key in while installing for the first time and it got me to where I'm at now. In order to complete his clean install suggestion, I need to re-install the OS Upgrade a second time, this time choosing the "Update Windows" option, followed by including the product key, at which point I will achieve success.

What I'm stuck at is how to go about re-installing the OS without making a stupid error. I assume I don't wipe the hard drive of the first installation or else that would defeat the purpose of a second installation? Here is my thinking at the moment:

1) Turn off the computer.
2) Turn the computer back on.
3) Insert the Windows 7 Upgrade installation CD for the second time.
4) Re-install Windows 7 Upgrade on the same hard drive as I did with the first install, making sure to click "Upgrade Install" and typing the product key in. (As opposed to the first time when I chose "Custom Install" and ignored the product key box).

I have no clue whether or not these are the correct steps.

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

[Hollow Man]

I wouldn't pick the Upgrade option. My understanding is that you can do a Custom install again. Windows will still see the original version of Win7 on your machine before it wipes it out, thus qualifying you for the upgrade, and then allow you to be able to activate it after that 2nd install.

-HM

 

[Rathex]

I wouldn't pick the Upgrade option.

Any obvious downfalls to picking the Upgrade Install?

 

[Hollow Man]

Theoretically no, especially if you've done nothing to your Windows at all. But I am always one for installing from scratch every time, to ensure no bad settings from the previous Windows get migrated over.

-HM

 

[Rathex]

Good enough for me. I'll go ahead and give it a go. BRB

 

[CheriPC]

Worked for me

I own a PC repair shop and just recently have had to deal with Win 7 (outside of my own laptop).

I used the upgrade CD to install a fresh copy of Win 7 on a customer's PC. He had Vista and purchased the upgrade, but his Vista was seriously damaged. Installing it like OEM worked fine and I was able to activate it with no problems after the install.

Hooray!

 

[TBolt]

I've done the "custom upgrade" from Vista to Win7 a few times now - each time telling the process to reformat the primary partition on the hard drive. I was thrown off by the fact that you can't watch the actual reformat process.

I presume the drive is reformatted, though -- cuz all of the progs are gone.

 

[longshanks23]

brink,

what would be your recommendation if i have downloaded the win 7 64 student download upgrade pack. i have a vista 32 machine. i see that you must do a clean install in order to go from 32 to 64. do you see a strategy where i could possibly burn this download to a disk in iso for and do a clean install from it?? Otherwise it looks like i'll have to contact microsoft to see if they would send me the disk. what would you do?

 

[Darryl Licht]

brink,

what would be your recommendation if i have downloaded the win 7 64 student download upgrade pack. i have a vista 32 machine. i see that you must do a clean install in order to go from 32 to 64. do you see a strategy where i could possibly burn this download to a disk in iso for and do a clean install from it?? Otherwise it looks like i'll have to contact microsoft to see if they would send me the disk. what would you do?

No need for a disk, just follow this tutorial it works great!

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/30470-make-bootable-iso-student-d-l.html?filter

 

[TBolt]

does his system support a 64-bit OS, though?

 

[Darryl Licht]

does his system support a 64-bit OS, though?

Here's how to find out...

GRC|SecurAble: Determine Processor Security Features|

 

[EdF]

Hi

I have read thru this thread and would like to confirm that the following is OK:

1. I have a legal retail Upgrade copy of W7 Home Premium, which I used to upgrade my laptop from Vista to Win 7 32 bit.

2. I am about to buy a new desktop which will have Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit installed.

3. I would like to do a Clean install, to get rid of all the bloatware, using my upgrade disk.The 64 bit one.

4. I assume that to activate I would use the product key that comes with the new computer.

Is my understanding correct? The salesman in Futureshop is telling me that this is not possible with Win 7.

Thanks

Ed

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, it is possible to use a retail DVD to reinstall factory OEM Vista and Windows 7, but not XP.

It will activate with the Product Key on the COA sticker, although it may require a robocall to sort out the individual key if the sticker contains a batch key. You can also audit the key from your HD using Belarc Advisor.

It would be interesting to hear from the salesman why he thinks it will not work. You would think he would be more of an advocate for the customer than interested in enforcing the manufacturer's bloatware. Or maybe he just doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[Gilly Boy]

You can use the retail copy to intall windows...keyless that is, but use the OEM product key to activate, I don't think that is possible...you need a new product key to activate it.

The product key that comes with the new pc is OEM...and you will be using that on a retail copy of Windows?...hmmm....

 

[karlsnooks]

Good People,
To do a clean install using upgrade version, simply follow the advice given by Shawn Brink or by Paul Thurott.

Yes, it works as they both have stated in their respective write-ups. I've done it several times.

Please read their descriptions carefully and follow to the letter.

Probieren geht ueber studieren.

 

[gregrocker]

You can use the retail copy to intall windows...keyless that is, but use the OEM product key to activate, I don't think that is possible...you need a new product key to activate it.

The product key that comes with the new pc is OEM...and you will be using that on a retail copy of Windows?...hmmm....

The retail and OEM installer are the same beginning with Vista.

You only need to make sure you have the correct version. All versions can also be unlocked in any installer by removal of ei.cfg file, or using tool to remove it from .iso here: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc - Installation - Lifehacker