Vista - Fresh install from upgrade disk...

Soldato
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Couldn't see this listed... Appears you can do a fresh install from the far cheaper upgrade disks...

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/95011/95011.html?Ad=1

UPDATE: I haven't tested this yet, as I don't have Vista Upgrade media to test, but I'm told that Microsoft's internal documentation does explain how to clean install Vista using an Upgrade version. It appears to be more of a workaround than a true clean install, however. Here's what it says.

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.

Anyone confirm if this works?
 
I've seen multiple articles about this and it sounds like a real balls up by MS, as long as they can't fix it to the existing discs then i'll be buying an upgrade disc soon!

Edit: It's not illegal, its just a work around on a massive hole MS have left. Have a look around on the net and its everywhere.

No, you don't need to enter your XP CD key again. When you install it as a 30 day trial it allows your upgrade to activate as normal, simply delete the windows.old file and hey presto. I would also take it the upgrade version would allow motherboard changes
 
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Fair play.
I'd still assume it's breaking the licensing agreement though - even if it's a balls up on the technical side it's unlikely the legal department will have made the same mistakes.
 
Mr Sniper said:
I've seen multiple articles about this and it sounds like a real balls up by MS, as long as they can't fix it to the existing discs then i'll be buying an upgrade disc soon!

Edit: It's not illegal, its just a work around on a massive hole MS have left. Have a look around on the net and its everywhere.

No, you don't need to enter your XP CD key again. When you install it as a 30 day trial it allows your upgrade to activate as normal, simply delete the windows.old file and hey presto. I would also take it the upgrade version would allow motherboard changes


Yes the info is posted all over the place, but where I have seen people report on actually trying it, they say the product key comes back as invalid? so Has anyone here ACTUALLY tried it and got it to work? So much of what you read is total oloks, lets get some facts from a trusted source0
 
I've seen that too, but the only ones i've seen are people being smart arses trying to do a clean install then trying to activate with the key, not reinstalling.
 
I followed a similar guide last night whilst trying to reinstall vista with the upgrade disk and I can confirm that it does work.
 
acs1 said:
I followed a similar guide last night whilst trying to reinstall vista with the upgrade disk and I can confirm that it does work.

So from a blank HD, you did an install with your upgrade disk? What version of Vista was it?
 
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