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General discussion

Can I do a clean install with an upgrade disk?

Nov 17, 2009 12:45AM PST

It?s my understanding that you can do a clean install with a Windows 7 upgrade disk. If I purchase the Windows 7 upgrade (at the end of this link), am I correct in thinking that I will be able to install it onto a new drive by omitting to enter the product key upon installation?

http://www.jigantic.com/product-p/S61209.htm&Click=20280


Thanks in advance for your insight,

David

Discussion is locked

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You can
Nov 17, 2009 1:07AM PST

You can, and the specifics of how this works has been outlined innumerable times already, so I won't duplicate information that is a simple Google search away.

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Custom installation on upgrade
Nov 17, 2009 5:16AM PST
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Just did that
Nov 17, 2009 5:49AM PST

I'd earlier left a message wondering if the upgrade to Windows 7 would be similar going from Win 98 to XP. When I went to XP, I was able to just use my Windows 98 CD ROM disk as a qualifier. My desire was to not do the upgrade on old hardware. I wanted to retire a 6 year old rig but still use my XP CD as the qualifier for the upgrade. I pre-ordered Win-7 Pro anyway. I attempted the installation on a brand new home built PC putting my retail CD of XP in a second DVD ROM drive similarly to how I'd done this from Win 98 to XP. The installation proceeded normally until I was asked for the product ID code. Multiple attempts and even a complete re-installation would not persuade Win-7 to complete the installation. I made a third attempt by attaching the hard drive from the old rig to a port on the new PC but asking Win-7 to install itself on the new drive. Using that method worked. I've yet to activate it yet. I want to sort a few things out first. Hope that helps.