W7 upgrade retail vs. Full version Retail

[Stag1928]

I was looking at getting windows 7 and hoping to do clean installs on a couple of machines and don't know which version to choose. I was looking at the w7 professional upgrade because I read that you can do a clean install with the upgrade disc and it's cheaper but I was not sure because I have an xp pro upgrade disc which says in the manual you can do a clean install but I could not (tried to put it on my laptop and do a clean install over vista but wouldnt let me.) If you can do that, what is the difference between an upgrade clean install and the regular install disc? My other question is, if I buy the full retail version how many machines can I install it on and will they go into non genuine mode after the product key is used once?

thanks

 

[ujaansona]

I was looking at the w7 professional upgrade because I read that you can do a clean install with the upgrade disc and it's cheaper

You can't do clean install with any upgrade disc. Not by LEGAL means. Though it's possible illegally.

I have an xp pro upgrade disc which says in the manual you can do a clean install but I could not (tried to put it on my laptop and do a clean install over vista but wouldnt let me.)

You can never install XP over Vista. It's possible to do clean install XP with upgrade disc.

If you can do that, what is the difference between an upgrade clean install and the regular install disc?

Regular retail install disc means you can boot up from your windows install disc. Format hard drive & install windows. You don't need any preinstalled windows on HDD.

My other question is, if I buy the full retail version how many machines can I install it on and will they go into non genuine mode after the product key is used once?

Microsoft's license only permit you to install retail windows to 1 computer. For each installation you need to buy new license.

In short, For upgrade your option is,
1)WINDOWS98->XP UPGRADE DISC->WINDOWS 7 UPGRADE DISC
2)For WINDOWS VISTA->WINDOWS 7 UPGRADE DISC read : http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7
For retail
1)Directly Format & Install WINDOWS 7

 

[sminlal]

If you have a previous version of Windows that's going to be replaced by Windows 7 then buy the upgrade disk. If you don't have a previous version, buy the full version.

That's all there is to it!

 

[Stag1928]

alrighty

 

[JessicaD]

You can perform a clean install from a Windows 7 upgrade version however you will have to have a valid previous copy of Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Vista installed to validate the upgrade and activate the product key. Please note that when migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 you will not have an "in place upgrade" option. You will however have the option to select "custom" install when prompted. The Windows 7 install process will then copy all of your data in "My Documents" over to a Windows.old folder within Windows 7 itself. All applications and documents stored in other locations will have to be reinstalled / transferred manually.
For more information on the Windows 7 Upgrade, please go here: http://bit.ly/3DvynK

For additional assistance with the migration of Windows XP to Windows 7, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/mhbep4

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

 

[isamuelson]

Installing clean with an Upgrade version is ONLY illegal IF you don't own a legit copy of Windows Vista or XP (retail or OEM are legal).

 

[sminlal]

While Jessica is correct in that an upgrade version can't be activated unless there is a previously installed version present on your computer, the trick is that the previously installed version doesn't have to be activated. So you can install the upgrade version without activation, then install it a second time and activate it. See: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

And as isamuelson mentioned, doing this is a violation of the licensing terms unless you actually own a licensed previous version of Windows that you will no longer be using.

 

[sturm]

While Jessica is correct in that an upgrade version can't be activated unless there is a previously installed version present on your computer, the trick is that the previously installed version doesn't have to be activated. So you can install the upgrade version without activation, then install it a second time and activate it. See: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

And as isamuelson mentioned, doing this is a violation of the licensing terms unless you actually own a licensed previous version of Windows that you will no longer be using.

Yep it works. I have the win 7 ultimate upgrade. First clean install over vista went bad. Wiped drive, installed Win 7, didn't enter key, rebooted after install and reinstalled Win 7 again. Entered key and everything is happy.

 

[Stag1928]

Best answer selected by Stag1928.

 

[Stag1928]

Thanks for the information peeps =D

 

[VulcanSoulPatch]

While Jessica is correct in that an upgrade version can't be activated unless there is a previously installed version present on your computer, the trick is that the previously installed version doesn't have to be activated. So you can install the upgrade version without activation, then install it a second time and activate it. See: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

I have been searching for this information for days! Thanks!!! This is truly the BEST answer (check out the link).

VSP