How to install a Vista upgrade on any PC

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Microsoft is running an unadvertised sale on Windows Vista. For the price of an upgrade edition requiring an existing copy of Windows, anyone can have a stand-alone version of Vista that will run on any PC. Indeed, the upgrade editions are full versions, simply waiting to be told to install themselves regardless of what OS is currently on the system, if any. The trick is all in how you interact with the setup program.

For the full article:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/12/cheap_vista_for_everyone/

Anyone tried this?

I've already installed my Vista Business upgrade as a clean installation.
 
It's how I installed my HP.


using an upgrade copy when you don't qualify is piracy. why don't you just save all your money and get it free instead of half price?
 
just seen this

got to be a major boo boo for ms as the difference between the 2 versions is 120pounds! :eek:
 
Thats how I installed mine as well

Lanz said:
same here.

Buying a retail copy of Vista is madness.


not true... if you buy the OEM it is linked to the MOBO, if you replace your main board several times in a 2 year period the Retail copy is cheaper than the OEM as you only have to buy the one copy....
 
arfur said:
Thats how I installed mine as well




not true... if you buy the OEM it is linked to the MOBO, if you replace your main board several times in a 2 year period the Retail copy is cheaper than the OEM as you only have to buy the one copy....

Yeah but we are talking about the Upgrade version, not OEM.

Also, how may people really need the retail anyway compared to the upgrade? As its only Windows 98/ME/Linux users who the upgrade wont be vaid for. Everyone else who owns XP, then just get the upgrade, as retail is a pointless waist of money.
 
Every upgrade copy of Vista is indeed the full product. This method had to be left in because it is not always possible to upgrade certain flavours of Vista from all the different flavours of XP and 2000.

For example you cannot perform an in-place upgrade of XP Pro to home premium or basic. You cannot perform an in-place upgrade of Windows MCE to vista business or home basic.

Does it say all this on the Vista upgrade packaging. I don't know, I have not seen it in the flesh. However on the e-tailers that I have looked it doesn't mention these facts. All it says is XP/2000 is required.

It makes no sense to purchase the upgrade if your not actually upgrading XP or 2000 as you will be in the same position (legally) as if you downloaded a copy from a torrent site. (Don't shoot me for pointing that out - I didn't write the EULA)
 
I'm gona try this with the upgrade disk I get from Dell in a few weeks. Don't really wana lose my xp install
 
the-void said:
Every upgrade copy of Vista is indeed the full product. This method had to be left in because it is not always possible to upgrade certain flavours of Vista from all the different flavours of XP and 2000.

It doesn't combat that though - what you're supposed to do in that case is run the install program from the previously installed and activated XP/2000 - but it will do a clean install instead of an in-place upgrade. This way, you can do a clean install without having XP/2000. It's completely unnecessary.


manoz: if you plan to dual-boot with your upgrade version, you're as well to download vista, it's just as legal.
 
Rebelius said:
It doesn't combat that though - what you're supposed to do in that case is run the install program from the previously installed and activated XP/2000 - but it will do a clean install instead of an in-place upgrade. This way, you can do a clean install without having XP/2000. It's completely unnecessary.

I didn't know that. Perhaps they left it in to cut down on the calls to their support line. :p
 
Lanz said:
Yeah but we are talking about the Upgrade version, not OEM.

Also, how may people really need the retail anyway compared to the upgrade? As its only Windows 98/ME/Linux users who the upgrade wont be vaid for. Everyone else who owns XP, then just get the upgrade, as retail is a pointless waist of money.

You are still bound by the terms of the qualifying product and depending on what licence you upgrade from has different implications on the rights of upgrade.

What it is suggesting is piracy the-void is very right in saying this:

It makes no sense to purchase the upgrade if your not actually upgrading XP or 2000 as you will be in the same position (legally) as if you downloaded a copy from a torrent site. (Don't shoot me for pointing that out - I didn't write the EULA)

Burnsy
 
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