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Win7 Upgrade question

demingo said:
The question still stands.

Can you do a clean install of the upgrade version as long as you provide a valid Vista/XP key and/or disk?
Click to expand...

Yes. Though you never need to provide the installer with a key or disk.

Install Windows 7, select the version you purchased, but DO NOT give it a CD key. It will install as a 30 day trial. Once Windows is up and running, run the installation CD from within the OS and perform an "upgrade". This time, give the installer your CD Key.

After setup completes, delete the "C:\Windows.old\" folder. You now have a clean install of Windows 7 from upgrade media.
 
Look above. I already posted Microsoft's pre-order page which clearly states XP works with the Upgrade versions. XP cannot be upgraded directly to Windows 7, it requires a clean install.


Badcop1124 said:
I spoke to M$ yesterday and asked about upgrading my computers. One runs Vista Ultimate the other XP Pro. I was told I could only upgrade my Vista Ultimate to Win7 Ultimate, and my my machine running XP Pro could not be upgraded to Win7 at all.

The Egg advertises: "All Editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista® qualify you to upgrade."

When I saw that at this time yesterday morning I jumped and ordered to copies of Win7 Pro. After talking to M$ today...WTF!?!

Anyone know who is right?

Was also told by the M$ service lady that "they have not released Win7 Ultimate pre-order pricing, yet". Very interesting. Now I'm very confused about which upgrade to get.
Also sent the Egg an e-mail.
Click to expand...
 
Unknown-One said:
Yes. Though you never need to provide the installer with a key or disk.

Install Windows 7, select the version you purchased, but DO NOT give it a CD key. It will install as a 30 day trial. Once Windows is up and running, run the installation CD from within the OS and perform an "upgrade". This time, give the installer your CD Key.

After setup completes, delete the "C:\Windows.old\" folder. You now have a clean install of Windows 7 from upgrade media.
Click to expand...

You don't have to do this with Windows 7 Upgrade according to Microsoft. You can do a clean full install from the upgrade disk even with Vista. You don't have to do the double install.
 
GreenGoose said:
You don't have to do this with Windows 7 Upgrade according to Microsoft. You can do a clean full install from the upgrade disk even with Vista. You don't have to do the double install.
Click to expand...

Can you provide a source for your information? With Vista, you had to have a qualified OS on the HD to either do a clean install or in place upgrade. There was the "feature" of installing the upgrade as a trial, then doing an upgrade, but will that work with Win7?

With previous Windows versions it only asked for the install disk of a qualified product. I hope all we'll need is our install disk, I'd hate to have to do two installs to get up and running. I don't format as often as I used to, my current XP install is over 3 years old and still runs great, so other than being an annoyance I could live with it.

My question is, if we do have to have an OS on the HD to do an install/upgrade, does it need to be activated? That would be even more of an annoyance to have to install XP, activate it, then install Win7. I have an OEM copy of XP, so when I build a new machine, I'd no longer be able to use the OEM XP to install the Win7 Upgrade.

Though I'm still running XP, I did buy Vista Home Premium for $50 back when my local CompUSA went out of business. I just never got around to installing it. I haven't even opened it, so I'm thinking of trying to sell it, though it's probably worthless with Win7 coming out soon. Until I know if we have to install AND activate an OS on the HD before using the Win7 upgrade, I'm going to hold on to it.
 
jimnms said:
Can you provide a source for your information? With Vista, you had to have a qualified OS on the HD to either do a clean install or in place upgrade. There was the "feature" of installing the upgrade as a trial, then doing an upgrade, but will that work with Win7?
Click to expand...

From Microsoft:

Running Windows Vista? If you have Windows Vista, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. You can do a clean install (back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications) or an in -place upgrade (Windows 7 installs over Windows Vista).

Running Earlier Versions? If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications.
Click to expand...
http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-7-Home-Premium-Upgrade/product/B0F9E641
 
GreenGoose said:
From Microsoft:
Running Windows Vista? If you have Windows Vista, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. You can do a clean install (back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications) or an in -place upgrade (Windows 7 installs over Windows Vista).

Running Earlier Versions? If you have Windows XP or Windows 2000, you can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade versions. But you must back up your files, clean install, and reinstall your applications.
Click to expand...

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-7-Home-Premium-Upgrade/product/B0F9E641
Click to expand...

I'm not asking if you can do a clean install, I already know that you can. I want to know if the Win7 Upgrade, like the Vista Upgrade, requires you to have a qualified OS installed, or do the double install trick (if you can even do that with Win7). That quote doesn't say whether or not you have to have have an OS installed (or do the double install method), but the wording they use would imply that you do indeed need to have an OS installed to use the upgrade.

Let me ask it another way so maybe you'll understand. If I have an empty HD (ie. no OS installed), will I be able to boot the Win7 upgrade disk and install from there, or will I need to install (and activate?) my old OS (in my case XP) first?
 
jimnms said:
I'm not asking if you can do a clean install, I already know that you can. I want to know if the Win7 Upgrade, like the Vista Upgrade, requires you to have a qualified OS installed, or do the double install trick (if you can even do that with Win7). That quote doesn't say whether or not you have to have have an OS installed (or do the double install method), but the wording they use would imply that you do indeed need to have an OS installed to use the upgrade.

Let me ask it another way so maybe you'll understand. If I have an empty HD (ie. no OS installed), will I be able to boot the Win7 upgrade disk and install from there, or will I need to install (and activate?) my old OS (in my case XP) first?
Click to expand...

Well, the double install method with the Vista upgrade is not a legitimate Microsoft method of installing the upgrade. It just works and Microsoft never changed it. This clearly says you can do a clean install with the upgrade disk. I'm not 100% sure but I bet it's just like the previous upgrades before Vista in that it just wants to verify your old OS disk. I guess no one knows for sure until it's out.
 
Last edited:
jimnms said:
If I have an empty HD (ie. no OS installed), will I be able to boot the Win7 upgrade disk and install from there, or will I need to install (and activate?) my old OS (in my case XP) first?
Click to expand...

This is the question I have as well. It wouldn't be an issue for the first install, but if I buy a new HDD somewhere down the line and have to install XP before I can install 7... well, that's a PITA. Would I have to do that for 7 -> 7 reformats too?
 
Demingo,

Yes you can install the upgrade version as long as you have a valid Vista / XP disc to insert when the Windows 7 prompts you.

If you plan on purchasing Windows 7 Home premium upgrade or Win 7 Professional upgrade then you may like to know that you can now pre-order your copy of Windows 7 for a discounted price! For more information, see the Windows 7 Pre-Order offer page

Please note that this is a limited time offer and is only valid while supplies last.

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team
 
Jessica, if I can ask (since you're stating publicly that you're with Microsoft based on that post above):

So with Windows 7, the installer actually demands that at some point you do insert a piece of physical media to confirm eligibility for the upgrade? This is 100% sure, accurate, set-in-stone dead on correct? Not just using a previous Product Key or anything like that (as has been the case in the past), but a real piece of actual physical media?

If so, that's definitely a big change in how things will happen...

Secondary question: "while supplies last" kind of throws me for a loop there... is Microsoft putting some arbitrary limit on the number of potential purchasers with this upgrade offer? Seems a bit silly... just my opinion of course, but... limiting it? If I go to the upgrade pre-order site on July 11th and try to put it an order, could I face some error that "Sorry, we ran out..." meaning the potentially allotted number of upgrade offers instead of it simply running out of time on the expiration date?

<thanks ahead of time for any answers...>
 
CypherNinja said:
The Upgrade media WILL be capable of a clean install (in some fashion) since upgrading from XP requires it.

Thats my understanding.
Click to expand...

Theres a cool video by Microsoft showing the upgrade process from within a running copy of XP.

When you install from within XP, it puts all the XP stuff in a "Windows.Old" folder. Your documents, program files, /windows directory, etc. In other words, it doesnt format your disk, so its not really a 'clean' install. Well it is, its like starting up a brand new install of Windows instead of a migrated one. But you can then migrate the hardlinks back using the User State Migration Tool.

This is only what happens if you run the disk from within XP, no idea what will happen with the retail disk if you boot from it.
 
I noticed something interesting in that video, maybe Jessica can answer.
When the upgrade begins, there are 83 GB free on the disk. When it is done, there are 70 GB free.
I saw a Program Files folder i the Windowd.old, does that mean that all of you programs from XP get copied there and none are left in the new Program Files on the C: drive?
For all intents and purpose, the Upgrade is a clean install, with all Windows files being moved to Windows.old or deleted?
 
The Windows.old folder contains the previous Windows directory, the Program Data (NOT Program Files) directory, the Users directory, and other files related to the previous installation. It does not contain a complete backup of the Program Files directory (or both directories if running x64).

The in-place upgrade leaves the drive's contents as they were with respect to the root folder, the Program Files directory/directories as noted, and maybe a handful of other small files as required.
 
Thanks Joe,

i always found that strange in upgrades or when reinstalling windows. I actually keeps the old files where they were, which take up space and dont do anything good. I do wish Win would just copy all the contents of the C drive into some folder or something. That would leave a virtually clean C: drive which looks like it has been freshly installed. (or at least have that as an option)
 
Yeah, but a proper clean installation on a blank drive is still the best and most recommended course of action. :)
 
I have a full version of XP Pro 32 bit. Can I up grade to Windows 7 Pro 64 bit? This gives me a good excuse to build a new computer in October. :D
 
Does anyone know if OEM versions of Vista 64 qualify? Also does the newegg and amazon deals include Win 7 64? I dont see that it says anywhere.
 
That's simply not possible, as having both installations on the same media would require a DVD9 dual layer piece of media, and I doubt Microsoft is going that far this time out. There was at one point in time an actual MSDN DVD9 ISO that had Vista 32 bit and 64 bit on it because it had the space for both OSes without issues, but that disappeared from MSDN pretty quick.

They don't share much code at all in common so, putting the entire x86 installation WIM and the entire x64 installation WIM on a DVD5... it ain't happening 'cause it won't fit. Releasing half a billion discs for Windows 7, all of 'em dual layer DVD9 media... even Microsoft won't just toss that kind of cash around... :D
 
"Estimated retail price. Retailer pricing may vary. Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional packaged product includes both 32- and 64-bit discs."

Link

I do have another question though. I have an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium. Can I use an upgrade version of Windows 7 with it?
 
It means that all modern and current processors are 32 bit capable and 64 bit capable, you must make a choice as to which version of Windows 7 you'll decide to use on that processor, a 32 bit version or a 64 bit version.

The primary and most prominent benefit of using a 64 bit OS on a 64 bit capable CPU is the increased RAM capacity and usefulness. 32 bit OSes can only access and use a given amount of RAM, technically 4GB but it's actually less than that because of how 32 bit Windows OSes actually work. Some memory is reserved and mapped out for use by PCI devices, most notably PCI-Express video cards which can consume a big chunk of reserved RAM for their purposes.

64 bit means slightly improved performance overall, and when coupled with 64 bit application software, even more significant performance benefits are possible.

There's a ton of threads about this particular 32 bit vs 64 bit thing all over this forum and on the Internet. Some searches should get you rolling along...
 
Rehevkor said:
"Estimated retail price. Retailer pricing may vary. Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional packaged product includes both 32- and 64-bit discs."

Link
Click to expand...

Yah, that'll be a nice change from Vista... Microsoft is tossing both installation DVDs in the same box, kudos to 'em for that.
 
Rehevkor said:
"Estimated retail price. Retailer pricing may vary. Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional packaged product includes both 32- and 64-bit discs."

Link

I do have another question though. I have an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium. Can I use an upgrade version of Windows 7 with it?
Click to expand...

I have the same question. I have a full retail copy of Vista for my desktop but I only have an OEM copy for my Macbook Pro. Can I take my Vista Home Premium 32bit OEM copy and upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit?
 
Upgrade eligibility is fine for both OEM and Retail, and it doesn't even matter if the previous license is full install or upgrade. That's according to the info on the Microsoft website, anyways.
 
You could do a clean install when you install the upgrade the second time, windows will ask you if you want to keep your old files or just format your disk. Or atleast thats how i do it with vista.
 
jmb said:
I have a full version of XP Pro 32 bit. Can I up grade to Windows 7 Pro 64 bit? This gives me a good excuse to build a new computer in October. :D
Click to expand...

Bump for great justice!

I have vista 32 bit, but I want 7 64 bit. Is it possible to upgrade to 7 64 bit from a 32 bit version of vista. Even with the clean install?
 
So it doesn't look like professional is worth the extra $50. XP mode and domain join? Anyone think those will be necessary?
 
Ladicius said:
I have vista 32 bit, but I want 7 64 bit. Is it possible to upgrade to 7 64 bit from a 32 bit version of vista. Even with the clean install?
Click to expand...

Windows 7 Upgrade reportedly comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit install disks, so you can choose which you want to install.

Qualifying products include Windows 2000, all versions of Windows XP, and all versions of Windows Vista. It doesn't matter if you have OEM or Retail, Full install or Upgrade install, or 32-bit or 64-bit. All qualify.
 
Thats great news. I'm glad that they didn't decide to force you to buy a whole new standalone version of Windows 7 just to go from Vista 32-bit to W7-64. (I'm sure this has been answered a few times, but Its nice to see here for us newbies).

My family all have computers that did not come with install CD's (cheap microsoft..) As long as we have the stickers on the back of our computers, we can use those to do clean installs of the W7-64 update, correct? It will be nice to be able to utilize the 4 gig ram upgrades.
 
Jebobek said:
My family all have computers that did not come with install CD's (cheap microsoft..)
Click to expand...

The lack of an accompanying Windows install disk has absolutley NOTHING to do with Microsoft. Your family has CHOSEN to purchase computers made by manufacturers who pre-install and provide recovery media rather than reinstall media.
 
Point taken; they hardly even provide the recovery media. Anyways I'm glad I don't need to have physical CD's at the ready for this.
 
OEM for me on my desktop, and my laptop, either back to Vista,or install my XP disk onto it.
 
Yea, pre-order canceled. Good job fucking over your legitimate customers MS.
 
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