Windows 7 Upgrade over XP

ScottALot

ScottALot

Active Member
Okay, I really want Windows 7 for my new build, but I only can afford the upgrade, no full version. Microsoft has told me that Windows 7 upgrades either Windows Vista or Windows XP.

I'm trying to figure out how I should get Windows XP on my Hard drive.

I've found two ways:

One, I can use this website to download XP and save it to disks to load into the computer.
Or two, I have an old hard drive containing Windows XP, and maybe I can use that to do something. I thought I could somehow take XP off the old hard drive and put it on the new one, or I could just boot from the old hard drive, and use the new one for storage.

I really need a solid answer before July 11 of 2009, so PLEASE HURRY!:eek:
 
Like other previous versions of windows, I imagine you can start installing the upgrade direct from the disc and it will simply ask for either an XP or Vista disc to continue installation. Just pop that disc in when it asks and you should be all set.

I know I could do that with an XP upgrade anyway.
 
You don't need XP or Vista to install Windows 7 from the Upgrade disc.

Just backup all your critical data and follow the instructions:

1. Boot your computer form the Windows 7 Upgrade DVD. When you get to the setup screen, start a new setup of Windows 7.

2. When prompted to enter your product key, Do not enter it. Instead click on the Next button and continue with the setup. This will install Windows 7 as a 30-day trial.

3. When prompted select the edition of Windows 7 which you purchased. So if you purchase Home Premium, select Home Premium. This is important, so do not pick a version that you did not purchase as it will affect later steps.

4. Once the setup has completed and you are back at your new Windows 7 desktop, run the setup program from the Windows 7 DVD again from within the new Windows 7 30-day trial.

5. Go through the setup, but this time when it asks for your product key, enter in the product key that came with your upgrade.

6. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or a Custom (advanced) install, choose the Custom (advanced) option to perform a clean install of Windows 7. Yes, you are performing a second installation of Windows 7.

7. Once setup has completed for the second time you will be able to activate Windows Windows 7 as normal. You are now left with a fresh clean install of Windows 7 and your original Windows 7 install has been renamed C:\Windows.old. You can now delete the Windows.old folder as it is not necessary to be on your computer.

Why does this work? It works because Microsoft let the Windows 7 30-day trial act as a valid upgrade path for Windows 7 and because you can install the trial to a empty drive. This keeps the process as clean as possible for those who do not own a Full install version of Windows 7.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
ScottALot said:
But seriously that's really complicated, how did someone find that out already?
Click to expand...

As stated, Vista is the same way, so they were looking for it with Windows 7.

It's not that complicated really. You're just installing it as a trial first, so it sees
an upgradeable version to install over.

Not sure how they figured it out initially.

Microsoft knows about it, but for some reason, meh.
 
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