Resolved Windows 7 Clean Install with an Upgrade DVD

I have a systems that came with Vista Home Premium pre-installed (no install DVD) . I subsequently purchased and installed a Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade. I then purchased and installed a Windows 7 Pro Upgrade. With each Upgrade I simply upgraded the installed OS. Now I want to reformat the hard drive and do a Clean Install of the Windows 7 Pro using the Upgrade DVD.

Can this be done without first having to install the Vista? I don't really want any thread of the Vista installed at all due to issues that I am having with what remain of the Vista.

Please advise!

 

To clean install onto a blank or formatted hard disk using an upgrade disk:

***It is assumed that you have backed up your data ***

1. Boot the pc using the upgrade DVD.
2. Follow the install wizard as normal till you are asked for the product key. DO NOT ENTER THE PRODUCT KEY AT THIS STAGE. Leave it blank.
3. Untick the "Automatically activate Windows when I’m online" check box during the installation routine.
4. After the installation is complete, boot the pc to a standard desktop and manually enter the upgrade key using the Activate Windows utility. (Type Activate windows in the search box) It should activate automatically.

If you run into activation issues, use the following steps:

1. Allow any pending updates to finish - look out for the orange shield on the shutdown button - and reboot.
2. Run RegEdit and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE
3. Change the value for MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0.
4. Open a command prompt as Administrator
5. Run the following command: slmgr -rearm (This will reset Windows Activation status)
6. Reboot the computer and reactivate windows as detailed above.

Good Luck

 

Thank you for your assistance. My concern is that since I am using a Upgrade DVD that the installation will be looking for a previous installation of an eligible OS. Is that not the case?

 

Thats why you don't enter the product key initially. The installer would recognise it as an upgrade key and throw out an error since it didn't detect the previous install.

 

[Resolved]

Pete, Thank you so much for the assistance. The article that you linked is very informative. Have a Great Day.