Clean install Or Upgrade only

Originally Posted by Emil

So, 7 will start installation on a fully-formated drive as soon as it's inserted and the BIOS is changed to DVD, first boot device? Then Alexis is being, shall we say, less than honest in her reply?

This is one of those instances where MS isn't going to come right out and say "Yes, this 'trick' will work".. It wouldn't be very smart on their behalf if they did say that..

I'm going to make a bold prediction here.

Remember I have NOT seen an UPGRADE version of win 7.. I am just GUESSING based on what people have said about making a clean install with the upgrade

I'm convinced you can take an ISO of the Windows 7 restore cd... the one that is made when you select Backup and Create a restore disk. (very small .. only about 5 files on the restore cd but it will boot to the command prompt... from a disk OR from USB.

Burn the iso to a disk or simply copy the files to a usb.


Set your bios boot priorities and boot to the restore and stop the scanning and go to the command prompt and put in the Upgrade disk and run the setup.... and select Custom and do a clean install. If it wants some old instal cd.. just eject it and put it back in.

Yes.. I think they are that lazy.

Geeks of all abilities will probably discover all sorts of ways around this installation procedure that Alexis of Microsoft insists is the one and only. As Drew states, Microsoft isn't about to reveal ANYTHING about shortcuts or different install procedures that will affect their bottom line. As I said previously, there's a reason why Bill Gates is still the richest man on the planet ;>).

Can some one verify this once the OS is released on Thursday? I'd hate to buy it and get boned if this "trick" is disabled!

Thanks!

I'm sure you'll get dozens of verifications within hours of the OS's release. Stay tuned!

I unfortunately can't perform the Windows 7 install using this method, because I'm waiting to build an i7 rig, and I can't do that for at least 3 weeks when I get paid from a job I got (3 pay checks). I'll try it, and will indeed post back.

I installed Windows 7 Upgrade (clean install) on a newly formatted harddrive that was clean. Uncheck the Update Windows and uncheck the Activate Windows. Do not enter the CD License key yet. Once it is installed you can then Activate Windows and insert the CD Key at that time. No fuss, no muss,
Yes, I have Windows XP and Vista Ultimate. Did not need to show Windows 7 I had them.

Originally Posted by Bubbalou

I installed Windows 7 Upgrade (clean install) on a newly formatted harddrive that was clean. Uncheck the Update Windows and uncheck the Activate Windows. Do not enter the CD License key yet. Once it is installed you can then Activate Windows and insert the CD Key at that time. No fuss, no muss,
Yes, I have Windows XP and Vista Ultimate. Did not need to show Windows 7 I had them.

Any other HD's attached to the pc at the time?

Originally Posted by tblount

I'm going to make a bold prediction here.

Remember I have NOT seen an UPGRADE version of win 7.. I am just GUESSING based on what people have said about making a clean install with the upgrade

I'm convinced you can take an ISO of the Windows 7 restore cd... the one that is made when you select Backup and Create a restore disk. (very small .. only about 5 files on the restore cd but it will boot to the command prompt... from a disk OR from USB.

Burn the iso to a disk or simply copy the files to a usb.


Set your bios boot priorities and boot to the restore and stop the scanning and go to the command prompt and put in the Upgrade disk and run the setup.... and select Custom and do a clean install. If it wants some old instal cd.. just eject it and put it back in.

Yes.. I think they are that lazy.

Now we know the update disks and downloads will install a clean version.

We also have full versions ISO download links directly from Microsoft. (my last blog)

The only restriction is that the upgrade keys won't activate the full version without some tweaks.

The easiest method I have found is to simply delete ei.cfg from the ISO full version before you burn it.. then when it installs it asks which version to install. You must tell it to install the version you have a key for.... then it will accept your upgrade key and activate first time.... without registry hacks and rearm and rebooting.

u r best getting the full version and doing a clean install,that way u have a clean drive and get rid of all the junk,i dont think u can do a clean install from an upgrade dvd/cdrom,(i could b wrong) xp HAS to be clean install so if ur running xp save all ur files and folders,or if dual booting make sure xp is 1st by defualt os,DO NO MAKE W7 UR FIRST BOOT OS