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| | #1 (permalink) |
| | Reinstalling Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade I installed the Home Premium Upgrade over a previous installation of XP just to keep my files and things in order as they were. I'm also upgrading to a new video card within the next few days. My question is, can I use my upgrade version to do a clean install over the current Home Premium? I just want to start out with a clean drive new hardware set in place. Thanks. |
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| | #2 (permalink) |
| | Re: Reinstalling Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade One of the most frequently asked questions for the "upgraders": You have met the requirement by having the OS needed for an upgrade. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...radepaths.mspx (For instance XP Pro to Vista Home Premium) A 'clean-install' is required by your upgrade path and MS failed to provide a method of doing this required 'clean install' with their upgrade disk. So, MS answers with a set of instructions: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918884/en-us But if the path you desire for upgrade is not available, the Upgrade button is disabled. and you must select Custom Install. Unfortunately, this will not work with Clean Install Method 1 or Method 2 unless you fail to insert the Product Key on the first installation. (Which they conveniently forgot to tell you because it allows even those without a valid OS for upgrading to perform this install at a substantial price reduction.) I'm not promoting cheating MS out of their money for a Full Installation disk (Product Key,) but if you meet the requirements for an upgrade, then you should be able to upgrade with the disc they provide. In a nutshell: This method erases ALL data from the selected drive! Boot from the DVD and select Custom Install. Format the drive and install Vista (version you bought) without entering your Product Key. When it is all done, while running Vista from the Hard Drive, open the DVD and install again, this time selecting Upgrade. (Total time: about 1.5 hours on my machine.) Don't bother installing software/updates until you complete both installs. Are there any drawbacks other than having to install twice? No. It's the same full installation. The same issue occurs with the Anytime Upgrade. You are provided a downloaded "License" and not a Product Key. If you should ever need to re-install, you will find yourself going through the installation at least twice to get to get to the final upgrade you bought. Instead, use a third party program to determine your Product Key, or open the license with Notepad and extract your Product Key so you only have to install once next time. "odustephenson" <odustephenson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E631F96C-3A80-4279-8865-EBF5F46D0BD5@microsoft.com... >I installed the Home Premium Upgrade over a previous installation of XP >just > to keep my files and things in order as they were. I'm also upgrading to a > new video card within the next few days. My question is, can I use my > upgrade > version to do a clean install over the current Home Premium? I just want > to > start out with a clean drive new hardware set in place. Thanks. |
My System Specs![]() |
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