Windows 7 clean install with upgrade license

[Pandamonium]

Okay so my situation is kind of complicated.

I have an retail Win7x64 DVD/license for my desktop and an OEM Win7x32 upgrade DVD/license for my laptop. I also have retail and OEM DVDs/license for Vista for both machines.

Right now I'm running Win7x32 on my laptop and its new SSD should be arriving later today. I know I could install Vista business using my restore DVD and then do a clean install using the upgrade media. But I'd like to bypass the Vista install if I can.

Any ideas?

 

[ImDonly1]

i used the digital river keys that they said were upgrade using a retail full dvd. it worked i think they lied about they being upgrade.

i think you can try to install and dont enter a key during the install. then we u get in windows u can make a simple reg edit and enter ur upgrade key. during the install windows makes a reg key that says whether to accept a upgrade or retail key. u can change it.

 

[Binky]

Lot's of sites are offering instructions for this. Try here: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

 

[Spydermag68]

I am running Win7-64 from an upgrade disk. For my new HD all I did was run my upgrade twice. The install stops after you enter the upgrade key. Just shut down the computer and re-run the install. Now the install key works.

 

[MStele]

Do your vista install. Activate it. Remove absolutely all non-critical software, including most of the stuff that comes with it. Get Acronis and make a disc image (should be really small since you gutted it ). Burn that image on a dvd or backup to a spare drive.

Good thing to know is that when you boot up with your Win7-upgrade disc and want to do a clean install, it will scan for a activated install prior to offering you the option to format. If you get that far, your able to format and do a clean install with no problems. The great thing about the image is that if you ever get to a point where you need to do a clean install of Win7, you can just restore the old OS image and boot straight to your Win7 installer and do it. There is no reason to touch the old OS ever again otherwise.

Of course, if you have Acronis I would hope you would image Win7 and not need to do an actual installation in the future regardless, but if you prefer doing to full gambit, this way works great. I've personally tested the above method and it works fine. This way, you never have to worry about reactivating the old OS.