Difference between retail version and the upgrade version of Windows 7

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ch91woo

New Member
What is the difference between the retail version and the upgrade version of windows 7? I heard that I can still do a fresh install of windows 7 on my computer but I just need to put my windows vista CD in before the windows 7 installation for the upgrade to work.... is this "upgrade" the same option as selecting the "upgrade" button when I'm in the middle of windows 7 installation??? I'm so confused.... Please help me!

:confused::confused::confused:
 
With the upgrade version, you have to have Vista installed in order to use it.

With the full version, you can do a clean install no matter what OS is installed.

EDIT: You can not do a clean install with the upgrade version.

I did some searching and I get different answers. Some people say you can do a clean install with the upgrade version and others say you can't. Now I am confused.
 
Last edited:
memory said:
EDIT: You can not do a clean install with the upgrade version.

I did some searching and I get different answers. Some people say you can do a clean install with the upgrade version and others say you can't. Now I am confused.
Click to expand...

Well, you can...sort of. Check out this article. Note Method 1 and 2. It appears that it doesn't work as easy as Vista did.



ch91woo said:
What is the difference between the retail version and the upgrade version of windows 7?...
Click to expand...

Pretty much price and the need for a prior license key to void.
 
What Windows 7 is asking you about when you are installing it I believe is the "anytime" upgrade option. Where you can just buy a key for a download to upgrade your version of Windows 7 to a higher version of Windows 7.

As for the retail upgrade version of Windows 7, you have to have a qualified OS install on the computer already. (XP or Vista) And then just follow the steps from the above article to do either a clean install (highly recommended), or just the regular old upgrade install.
 
memory said:
With the upgrade version, you have to have Vista installed in order to use it.

With the full version, you can do a clean install no matter what OS is installed.

EDIT: You can not do a clean install with the upgrade version.

I did some searching and I get different answers. Some people say you can do a clean install with the upgrade version and others say you can't. Now I am confused.
Click to expand...

I've done a clean install of 7 with an upgrade without an issue. I just installed it from scratch, tossed in the key, and I was done.
 
DCIScouts said:
What Windows 7 is asking you about when you are installing it I believe is the "anytime" upgrade option. Where you can just buy a key for a download to upgrade your version of Windows 7 to a higher version of Windows 7.
Click to expand...

I was talking about the "upgrade" option when you install it as you boot the computer. Anyway somebody told me that all you had to do for Vista upgrade is to boot from the vista dvd install disk and then when it asks you fro an XP key you just had to put it in there... I'm not sure... Wrong answers are all over the place :(


ultimate7 said:
I found a way to upgrade from windows xp to windows 7, if you guys want a link just reply.
Click to expand...
And how do you do this...?
 
This is what i did, with the 3-pack upgrade..
1. Wipe off HDD
2. Boot form DVD
3. Install 7 (do not enter product key at this time)
4. After install, go to (click start, right click on computer, click properties) System
5. At bottom click change product ID. Enter your upgrade serial. then activate..

Don't know if it still works. but it did for me. Let us Know...
 
I already have the full version but I'm pretty sure this will work since Windows 7 Upgrade and full version serials are probably the same.
 
kc-atl said:
This is what i did, with the 3-pack upgrade..
1. Wipe off HDD
2. Boot form DVD
3. Install 7 (do not enter product key at this time)
4. After install, go to (click start, right click on computer, click properties) System
5. At bottom click change product ID. Enter your upgrade serial. then activate..

Don't know if it still works. but it did for me. Let us Know...
Click to expand...

+1

That's what I did.
 
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