Can Windows XP Upgrade do a clean install? (reformat?)

[iamme]

Will upgrade editions of OS's only install on top of the existing OS? Or can you do a reformat and clean install, as long as have the required OS already installed?

 

[bozo1]

You can install it to a freshly formatted drive. If there is no OS already installed, the setup routine will ask you to prove you own a qualifying product to upgrade from by inserting that CD when asked.

 

[BZeto]

Then why do people hate the upgrade versions of OS's? I swear everyone owns a copy of Win 98 SE.

 

[stash]

Then why do people hate the upgrade versions of OS's? I swear everyone owns a copy of Win 98 SE

I think you are confusing the upgrade versions with the process of upgrading. There is nothing wrong with using an upgrade version of an OS to perform a clean install, but using any version of an OS to upgrade an existing OS installation is usually advised against.

 

[skriefal]

Is there such a thing as an "upgrade" version of Windows XP? With XP Pro there was a rebate that could be mailed in -- along with proof of ownership of Win2k -- in order to obtain a small rebate. There is no "upgrade-only" package, at least not that I've ever seen. Windows 2000 Pro was the same way. Is XP Home different?

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: STaSh

Then why do people hate the upgrade versions of OS's? I swear everyone owns a copy of Win 98 SE

I think you are confusing the upgrade versions with the process of upgrading. There is nothing wrong with using an upgrade version of an OS to perform a clean install, but using any version of an OS to upgrade an existing OS installation is usually advised against.

Well said.

skriefal, in answer to your question....linky and another linky. Versus this.

 

[Gooberlx2]

feh...the student versions of the "upgrade" never even ask for a qualifying product.

 

[skriefal]

Oops... I just checked my XP Pro CD, and it does indeed have "Upgrade" printed on it. Darn hard to read, due to that horrible silver-on-silver printing they use! The cardboard folder in which the CD is stored doesn't mention "Upgrade" anywhere, however, and I don't recall the box mentioning "Upgrade" anywhere. Thinking back, though, I do recall a sticker on the shrinkwrap that stated the software was for upgrade purposes, and that a rebate was available to purchasers who could provide proof of ownership of Windows 2000.

In any case, the install routine happily installed onto a blank drive and never asked me for proof of ownership of a qualifying product.

the student versions of the "upgrade" never even ask for a qualifying product.

My experience suggests that the non-student version operates in the same manner.