Yes, it must be installed and XP activated.
"NeufusionX" <NeufusionX@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:302C6EDF-A254-4BD0-8979-1FE48073073E@microsoft.com...
> With the x64 upgrade edition of Vista, I understand that you have to boot
> from the CD in order to upgrade from Windows 2000 or Windows XP 32bit
> which
> is different than Vista x32 upgrade edition which launches from the
> desktop.
>
> With this difference, does this still require that Windows 2000 or Windows
> XP be installed to the hard drive prior to upgrading? Or does it just ask
> for
> the key or media?