Using current upgrade licence to re-install Windows 7

[pdario]

Hello, I bought my laptop in 2009 and it had Vista Home Premium 32bit installed; it came with Win 7 upgrade special offer (about 14$) and I bought the 32bit upgrade DVD.
Now it's running Windows 7 32bit Home Premium and it's starting to show VERY strange behavior (there's something that blocks processes writing to disk creating a mess with antivirus updates, internet downloads and other programs).

I would like to re-install it from scratch and port it to x64.

What I need to know is what Win7 x64 disk I will need.
Is it ok if a friend gives me his Win7 retail disk, install it and then put the license key that came with the upgrade DVD?
If not, what version should I use? OEM? Upgrade?

Thank you very much!

 

[Kaktussoft]

You want Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit italian version? Borrow it from a friend (even better... make an exact copy)

Then do:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[pdario]

Ok, I'll follow the linked instructions; just to be sure: has it to be an "upgrade" version? Or a "full one" is good too (or is it the same)?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Ok, I'll follow the linked instructions; just to be sure: has it to be an "upgrade" version? Or a "full one" is good too (or is it the same)?

With upgrade DVD version you can clean install as well. You can use the "upgrade key".

 

[pdario]

Yes, I saw instructions and even donwload links, seems fine.
I also read about the windows.old directory if I don't format the partition: in facts, I don't care about windows dir much, but I would like to know how to manage \users directory.

If I leave it as it is, will it work again when creating the same users?
Should I move it to something else and the move the contents back to users once setup is finished?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Yes, I saw instructions and even donwload links, seems fine.
I also read about the windows.old directory if I don't format the partition: in facts, I don't care about windows dir much, but I would like to know how to manage \users directory.

If I leave it as it is, will it work again when creating the same users?
Should I move it to something else and the move the contents back to users once setup is finished?

You talked abou clean install! So all will be gone afterwards. Wikndows.old folder doesn't have "users" folder as far I can remember.

Backup all your important documents to external disk first. Document, music, video, pictures.... maybe everything .. you never know you'll need it.

 

[pdario]

I will backup everything, but it's not necessary to delete several GB of pictures and videos just to bring them back as they are, I'm planning to leave them on a parking directory and avoid formatting.
Perhaps I'll rename \Users to \Users.old before reinstalling.

Thank you!

 

[Think Tank]

Yes, I saw instructions and even donwload links, seems fine.
I also read about the windows.old directory if I don't format the partition: in facts, I don't care about windows dir much, but I would like to know how to manage \users directory.

If I leave it as it is, will it work again when creating the same users?
Should I move it to something else and the move the contents back to users once setup is finished?

You talked about clean install! So all will be gone afterwards. Wikndows.old folder doesn't have "users" folder as far I can remember.

Actually, I just did this the other day - it copied the users directory as well. No worries there.