Clean Install From Upgrade Vista

INFO: This will show you how to do a CLEAN install with a Express or Retail Upgrade Version of Vista instead of having to install your previous OS (EX: XP) then Vista. This will prevent compatibility issues between the previous OS and Vista.

WHY: You have a legal copy of XP and you do not want to install XP and then install Vista from within XP. I noticed, that a lot of people that installed Vista this way are experiencing some problems due to remnants of XP messing Vista up. This will also work if you are upgrading to the 64 bit Vista from a 32 bit Upgrade Vista version.

NOTE:
A) A OEM Recovery installation DVD can only do a clean install. It is just a clone of the hard drive that will set your computer back like it was from day one. The installation process is basically the same though.
B) A Express or Retail Vista can be installed on any one computer at a time for as many times as you like. A OEM Vista may only be able to be installed on the exact same computer as many times as you like. The product key number for the Vista 32 bit version is the same one for it's 64 bit version. You can only have the Product Key activated on one computer and version of 32 bit or 64 bit Vista at a time.
See: Microsoft: License Terms for Software Licensed from Microsoft
C) Sometimes people have problems installing Vista with more than 2 GB of RAM installed. If you have this problem, then you should install Vista with a maximum of 2GB of RAM installed and add the rest of the RAM after Vista is fully installed.

INSTALLATION PROBLEM: See:
Windows Help and Support: KB935806 Troubleshooting Stop error messages that may occur when you try to install Windows Vista
AND
Windows Help and Support: KB929777 Error message when you try to install Windows Vista on a computer that uses more than 3 GB of RAM: "STOP 0x0000000A"

WARNING:
A) If you do not have a legal copy of XP with your corresponding or better Upgrade Vista, then you have violated the EULA and it is considered theft which you may face prosecution for. For the license terms for Vista, see: Microsoft: License Terms for Software Licensed from Microsoft
B) Without this previous legal OS copy, you may not be able to reactivate Vista if you need to do a Phone Activation.

UPGRADE OPIONS: You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista. Go to this link for details on corresponding versions: Windows Vista: Upgrade Paths from Previous Versions

RELATED LINKS:
1. How to Perform a Repair Installation for Vista

2. How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation

3. How to Reset a User Account Password in Vista

4. How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

5. How to Extend Vista Trial Period for Up to 120 Days

6. How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista

7. How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD


MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR VISTA :
NOTE: For more information, see: Microsoft Windows Vista: Recommended System Requirements


Vista Home Basic

• Processor: 1GHz (32 or 64 bit)
• System Memory (RAM): 512MB
• Hard Drive: 20GB with 15GB available for Vista
• Video Card: 32MB Memory and DirectX 9 Support
• DVD-ROM Drive

Vista Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate

• Processor: 1GHz (32 or 64 bit)
• System Memory (RAM): 1GB
• Hard Drive: 40GB with 15GB available for Vista
• Video Card: 128MB Memory, DirectX 9 Support with: WDDM Driver, Pixel Shader 2.0, 32bits per pixel
• DVD-ROM Drive

Here's How:
WARNING: Be sure to backup anything you do not want to lose, and have all of your device drivers handy before you proceed.
NOTE: You will basically just be installing Vista without entering a product key on a formated hard drive, then re-installing it entering the product key on top of the new installation as an upgrade .

FIRST INSTALL:
1. Boot the computer from your Vista Upgrade DVD.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.

2. When prompted, press any key to start Vista from the installation DVD. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only have about 8 seconds to press this key. If you miss it, you will have to restart the computer.

boot-from-cd-prompt.jpg

3. Set up your language preferences and click Next. (See screeshot below).

Select_Language.jpg

4. Click Install Now to start the installation. (See screenshot below)

Install_now.jpg

5. Select Do not get the latest updates for installation. (See screenshot below)

No_Updates.jpg

6. Do not type in a product key. (See screenshot below)
7. Leave Automatically activate Windows when I'm online unchecked.
8. Click Next.

Product_Key.jpg

9. Click the No button for the Do you want to enter your product key now? prompt. (See screenshot below)

Product_Key_Confirmation.jpg

10. Select which version of Vista you have. (See screenshot below)
11. Check I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased and click Next. (See screenshot below)

Windows_Version.jpg

12. Click on Custom (advanced). (See screenshot below)

Custom_advanced.jpg

13. Select the hard drive you want to install Vista on and click Drive Options (advanced).
(See screenshot below)

Drive_Options.jpg

14. Click Format to format the hard drive. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you have more than one partition on this hard drive and want to get rid of it to make one big drive, then click Delete for each partition. Now click New and adjust the partition size to what you want, then click Format.

15. Click Next when it is done formating the hard drive.

Format.jpg

16. Follow any instructions left until Vista is finished installing and has rebooted to the final welcome screen on the Vista desktop.


SECOND INSTALL:
17. When this first install is done, run the Vista Upgrade installation again from within the First Install of Vista.
NOTE: Do Not boot from the Vista DVD this time. Leave the Vista installation DVD in the CD/DVD drive.
A) Click on Computer in the Start menu.
B) Click on the DVD drive to open a window with the DVD files.
C) Click on Setup to start the 2nd install.
D) Repeat steps 4 and 5 above.

18. This time, type in your product key for Vista and click Next. (See screenshot below step 8)
NOTE:
A) If you need help to find the product key, then see: How to See The Product Key in Vista
B) If you are upgrading from Vista to another version of Vista, then type in the product key for the new version.

19. Leave Automatically activate Windows when I'm online unchecked. (See screenshot below step 8)
20. Check the I accept the license terms box. (See screenshot below)
21. Click Next.

License_Terms.jpg

22. This time, click the Upgrade option. (See screenshot below)

Upgrade.jpg

23. To setup Vista, see STEP TWO here: How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista

24. Remove the Vista installation DVD.

25. Run Disk Cleanup.
NOTE: See: How to Use Disk Cleanup in Vista

A) Check Files discarded by Windows upgrade. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: These will be the leftover upgrade files, C:\$INPLACE.~TR and C:\$WINDOWS.~Q, that did not get copied over.

B) Click OK to delete it.

Disk_Cleanup.jpg

26. Now all you need to do is to activate Vista.
NOTE: If you have problems activating Vista, see: How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation
A) Right click Computer (Start Menu) and click Properties, or open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click on the System icon.
B) Scroll down a bit and click: Activate Windows Now. (See screenshot below)

Activate.jpg

Now you have a clean install of the Upgrade version with no remnants of XP to mess you up later.


That's it,
Shawn