Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Windows "upgrade" - clean install possible?

  1. #1
    Senior Member AD-15's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    1,248
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    71 times in 34 posts
    • AD-15's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Rampage II Extreme
      • CPU:
      • i7 920 @4.45GHz!!!! (No HT)
      • Memory:
      • 3x2GB G.Skill Trident
      • Storage:
      • 1x 160, 1x 250 (Both 16MB cache SATA2 WD)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA 460 1GB @ 815, 1013MHz
      • PSU:
      • 850W Corsair HX Series Modular
      • Case:
      • Corsair 700D
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • 22" Dell E228WFP

    Windows "upgrade" - clean install possible?

    Hello,

    I've recently been considering upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows Vista.

    From what I understand, using the upgrade option would mean all my files/settings etc would remain. This is as opposed to what I'm normally used to using, which involves a full wipe of my hard drive in order to install Windows.

    However, is it possible to upgrade to Windows 7 using the "Upgrade" version of the software, and do a full format/wipe/clean install aswell?

    Thanks,

    Odai.
    Industrial espionage is simply the sincerest form of flattery......

  2. #2
    DDY
    DDY is online now
    Senior Member DDY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    2,789
    Thanks
    177
    Thanked
    597 times in 412 posts
    • DDY's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock Z390M Pro 4
      • CPU:
      • i5 9600k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz
      • Storage:
      • Adata SX8200 NVME 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • RX 5700
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Focus Gold 550W
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2715H

    Re: Windows "upgrade" - clean install possible?

    It's possible to clean install Win 7 upgrade, I do it all the time. Guides can be found all over the internets. EDIT: e.g. this guide

    Otherwise, upgrade installs are fine, keep your files, favorites, apps etc.

  3. #3
    Senior Member AD-15's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Posts
    1,248
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    71 times in 34 posts
    • AD-15's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Rampage II Extreme
      • CPU:
      • i7 920 @4.45GHz!!!! (No HT)
      • Memory:
      • 3x2GB G.Skill Trident
      • Storage:
      • 1x 160, 1x 250 (Both 16MB cache SATA2 WD)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA 460 1GB @ 815, 1013MHz
      • PSU:
      • 850W Corsair HX Series Modular
      • Case:
      • Corsair 700D
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • 22" Dell E228WFP

    Re: Windows "upgrade" - clean install possible?

    Hello,

    Thanks for that!

    I remember a similar trick to get a full install from an upgrade version of Vista. Is it the same with Windows 7, in that you get the full software on the disc and the key is an upgrade key?

    EDIT: I've just found this on the software4students site:

    This version of Windows 7 ships as an upgrade edition. It is NOT possible or permitted to perform a clean install with this product. You must have an existing valid Windows operating system on your hard disk. All editions of Windows 7 will now include the Internet Explorer 8 web browser as standard.
    Also, it seems that things work differently for Win 7 than they did for Vista:

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...7-8bab7883da5b

    Last edited by AD-15; 06-03-2010 at 08:12 PM.
    Industrial espionage is simply the sincerest form of flattery......

  4. #4
    DDY
    DDY is online now
    Senior Member DDY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    2,789
    Thanks
    177
    Thanked
    597 times in 412 posts
    • DDY's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock Z390M Pro 4
      • CPU:
      • i5 9600k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz
      • Storage:
      • Adata SX8200 NVME 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • RX 5700
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Focus Gold 550W
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2715H

    Re: Windows "upgrade" - clean install possible?

    It's illegal (but possible) to clean install Windows 7 upgrade on a machine which doesn't have a previous Windows license associated with it. You may clean install Win 7 upg on a machine that does have a previous Windows license associated with it. e.g. If you bought a laptop with Vista that didn't include installation media, then some how caught a virus which borked Vista rendering it impossible to upgrade. You can then boot off the Win 7 CD, format the HDD and clean install.

    I've done the install once, then upgrade over trick on Vista and Win 7, it works on both, but recently with Win 7 I've simply done a single "custom install" without entering key or activation information during the installation. As soon as Win 7 boots I can then activate using the upgrade key.

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    168
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    9 times in 8 posts

    Re: Windows "upgrade" - clean install possible?

    My copy of W7 upgrade from Digital River activated just fine on a brand new HDD. I even unplugged my older XP disk out during the install to see if it could activate and it did. One of the lucky ones that got full versions from DR I suppose.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Windows - hotfixing overview
    By Paul Adams in forum Software
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 13-10-2009, 11:17 AM
  2. Asrock 939 sata 2 board and windows install probs.
    By sybrows in forum Help! Quick Relief From Tech Headaches
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-05-2006, 02:55 AM
  3. ATI Catalyst 5.8 released
    By =TcQi= in forum Graphics Cards
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 18-08-2005, 12:35 AM
  4. SN85G4 cannot boot Windows install CD after BIOS update
    By badprogrammer in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-04-2005, 04:29 AM
  5. Windows XP Pro install hangs!! :( PLEASE HELP!!
    By BlueMagician in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 12-02-2005, 08:40 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •