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Installing upgrade version of Win 7 on new SSD

H

Hanzou

Senior member
So I have reinstalled windows 7 many times but never on a brand new drive. I would always just wipe the partition and install clean. Now for the first time I am installing on a brand new SSD and I am unable to activate it. I get the error that the version is for upgrade only, no clean installs.

What's the easiest way for me to fix this? I can't install XP first as I have no idea where the disc is and don't want to waste the time. Do I have to call them and explain my situation? I did not format my old drive with the OS on it, will doing that somehow allow me to validate this copy?

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
So your saying that microsoft expects you to reinstall XP and then upgrade to 7 every time you reinstall windows?

That sounds ridiculous. How did MS know before I was "upgrading" before when I would format the delete the partition, create a new one and then make a clean install? Because that has worked in the past. What I am doing right now is essentially the same thing.
 
Just call them. The automated phone activation won't work, so connect to a live person that will lead you through it and you'll be activated in no time.

Takes about 5 minutes total.

I've done this a dozen or so times with legitimate versions of upgrades installed fresh and have had zero problems with MS.
 
common trick is: install win 7 once, run upgrade from itself, and it will activate. that is what "google is your friend" means.
 
Install Windows 7.

Install Windows 7 again (you can even nuke the partition and re-partition if you'd like).

Problem solved.
 
postmortemIA said:
common trick is: install win 7 once, run upgrade from itself, and it will activate. that is what "google is your friend" means.
Click to expand...

Thank You--You Are not only a Scholar; But a Gentleman as Well. 🙂

ETA: I learned that here a few years ago--Saved me from great Anguish!!
 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE

Change "MediaBootInstall" from "1" to "0"

Then open an elevated Dos command (Start > Run > CMD (right click Run as Administrator)

slmgr /rearm
 
kbp said:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE

Change "MediaBootInstall" from "1" to "0"

Then open an elevated Dos command (Start > Run > CMD (right click Run as Administrator)

slmgr /rearm
Click to expand...

Same thing MS does when you call them and say it won't activate. Works like a charm.
 
On the first install, don't enter the CD key. Be sure to install the version you have, Home Premium, etc. Once it is installed and fully updated, which might take a couple or maybe three reboots, pop in the disk and "upgrade" your copy, this time entering the CD key.
 
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