[rivo2006]

Im running Vista 64bit at the moment and want to get Windows 7 but Im unsure whether to go with the full version, OEI DSP, or Upgrade Edition - I obviously want the cheapest option which seems be the upgrade edition.

What I want to know is, Can I format the HD and install this upgrade edition afterward like Ive always done with previous OEM copies of Windows Ive had. If i must install it from within Vista the first time, will I be able say in 6 months or a year, to format and reinstall this upgrade edtion without having to reinstall Vista again beforehand?

Basically does the upgrade edition involve more headaches than other versions when it comes to formating / reinstalling down the road?

[TerryNet]

At worst you can start the installation from within Vista and choose the "custom" option. "Custom" is Microsoft's new term for full or fresh. Using that option I'm not sure if you can format, but you do get a fresh install. All the old files will also be there in a C:\Windows.old folder. You can get rid of that stuff.

I'm not sure about the reinstalling. My thinking is that if the old installation is not completely trashed you should be able to boot from the DVD, Windows will find itself activated on the drive, and so will continue with the (re-)installation.

I did something that may violate the letter of the EULA, but I think does not violate the spirit. I shrank the Vista partition to 40 GB and created and formatted another 40 GB partition for Windows 7 and the rest of the drive for data. Then booted from the 7 DVD and did a custom install. I now have a dual boot; don't expect to use the Vista much, but it will be sitting there allowing me to reinstall 7 the same way if needed. Well, at least that's my plan; remains to be seen what Microsoft's validations may do in the future.

[TerryNet]

See this thread for other opinions and facts.

[fairnooks]

Anyone can say it violates the EULA until their blue in the face. The fact is, it lets Microsoft play both sides of the line; they don't care bit one (yes its a pun) about the dual boot violation when they've got the $200 for a Pro upgrade (my level). I just realized that while Mac users pay a hefty premium for hardware, Windows users are paying quite the premium for new OS software, especially for upgrade since its not coming with the system right(?), except in certain circumstances. Plus, if there is a problem, how much is Microsoft going to save by not having to support anyone they find has violated the EULA with the affront of wanting to boot to either the new OS from Microsoft or the old OS from ahh, Microsoft.

Microsoft, with a foot planted firmly on either side of the EULA...its a neat trick I have to admit.

[Mumbodog]

What I want to know is, Can I format the HD and install this upgrade edition afterward like Ive always done with previous OEM copies of Windows Ive had. If i must install it from within Vista the first time, will I be able say in 6 months or a year, to format and reinstall this upgrade edtion without having to reinstall Vista again beforehand?

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/cle...rade_media.asp


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[Courtneyc]

I was able to format my system and install Win7 Upgrade edition and activate it without any problems. I upgraded from Vista 64-bit HP to Win7 64-bit Pro. Worked like a champ and didn't cry that I didn't have a previous version installed, like Vista did.

Even if you don't want to go that route, select Custom when you do your upgrade. Windows will dump your current install into a windows.old folder and do a clean install.

Courtney

[shihni]

My hard drive died a few days before the Win7 release, so I just waited and installed my preorder 7 upgrade on a new hard drive.

I installed it (without activation) as a clean install. Then I ran the setup from within windows and install 7 over top of itself. Doing this allows you to activate the upgrade version even though there was technically no previous version installed on the hard drive. An unactivated version of 7 x64 counts.

If I cared to look I could probably find it, but M$ stated in an interview that this method is not breaking the EULA.

[rivo2006]

Thanks for all the replies guys, especially Mumbodog, that pretty much nailed it. Seems I can go ahead and save myself some money with the Upgrade Edition!