Windows 7 RTM Upgrade – How to Perform Clean Install

windows 7

I am thinking about getting a pre-order for Windows 7 upgrade, but I don't want to buy it if I can't do clean installs with it. How does the upgrade process work exactly when comming from Windows Xp or Vista? I've poked around on Google, but I have only been able to find documentation regarding the Windows 7 RC to RTM migration.

Would I have to install Windows Xp or Vista first every time I wish to format and reinstall Windows 7 on my computer? Or would I just have to, for example, punch in my old Xp/Vista product key?

Best Answer

According to this article, you will need to have an activated copy of XP, Vista, or 7 RC first:

Now here's the bigger catch: While you won't need to downgrade from Windows 7 RC to Vista or XP in order to install Windows 7 final the first, time, you will need to install one of those operating systems and activate it first if you want to do a clean install in the future. Because the Windows 7 upgrade disc will only work with an activated version of Windows. That means you'll need an activated version of Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 RC to start with or the disc will be useless.

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