No Need To Install Windows XP/2000 Before Using The Vista Upgrade DVD

d.chatten · 30 Jan 2007 at 12:17

I got this info off another forum and thought it might help anyone who purchased an upgrade version of Vista.

If you have the Upgrade versions of Vista you are supposed to do a full XP install, then install vista over the top.

Most of us dislike these types of dirty installs, instead prefering to do an install to a clean drive or partition.

Here is a workaround:

1. Boot with the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD.
2. Click "Install Now."
3. Do not enter a Product Key When prompted.
4. When prompted, select the Vista product edition that you do have.
6. Install Vista normally.
7. Once the install is complete, restart the DVD-based Setup from
within Windows Vista. Perform an in-place upgrade.
8. Enter your Product Key when prompted.

Hope this helps!

Mr.Clark · 30 Jan 2007 at 12:20

Well that is good news.

Thanks

Stonedofmoo · 30 Jan 2007 at 12:36

So instead of installing Vista over XP you are installing Vista over Vista? :confused:

Doesn't really sound much of an improvment.

d.chatten · 30 Jan 2007 at 12:49

Stonedofmoo said:
So instead of installing Vista over XP you are installing Vista over Vista?

Doesn't really sound much of an improvment.

I haven't tested this, but, maybe, Vista doesn't install over Vista, it may just update a few things such as the product ID, a bit like when you change the product code in XP.

Priapus · 30 Jan 2007 at 12:50

Stonedofmoo said:
So instead of installing Vista over XP you are installing Vista over Vista?

Doesn't really sound much of an improvment.

Lol, no.

If you buy Vista Home Upgrade or other version, you had to have a valid install of windows 2000 or windows xp to be able to use the upgrade Vista disc, with the above, there is no need to have windows xp or 2000 on the system to upgrade....

dirtydog · 30 Jan 2007 at 12:52

d.chatten said:
If you have the Upgrade versions of Vista you are supposed to do a full XP install, then install vista over the top.

Not true apparently; you can still do a clean install.

GeezerButler · 30 Jan 2007 at 15:13

My understanding is that the upgrade is not an old style upgrade. Your old OS gets completely removed. The installer collects all the info from your current install (settings, application info etc..) then archives your old OS to a compressed file. It then wipes out the old install and installs a new copy of Vista then restores settings etc. from the old OS. Once Vista is installed and running the archive of the old OS is deleted. If the upgrade fails for some reason your old OS gets reinstated. See this link:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2082983,00.asp