Perform a Clean Install with a Vista Upgrade Disc
Since the release of Windows Vista, it was thought that the Upgrade Disc would install over your XP and invalidate the key. However, there had always been a workaround that just requires a few different clicks when installing with the disc.
So far, this workaround has been working for many. Microsoft even confirmed that the workaround was possible but warned that they would be violating the terms of use agreed to when they purchased Vista. There has yet to be a fix for Microsoft’s error.
The process is very simple, except you will have to install Vista twice. This process has worked for many, although I have never personally tested this.
1. Boot your computer using the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD:
To do this, make sure you have your DVD in your PC before your computer moves on to the 2nd screen at bootup. You may have to configure your BIOS so your DVD drive is recognized as a boot device.
2. Install normally but DO NOT enter your product key:
Make sure you follow this step. By not entering your product key, you will install Vista as a 30-day trial.
3. Select the version of Windows Vista purchased:
4. Re-install Vista within Vista:
Once you are finished installing Vista, go to My Computer, and install Windows Vista.
5. Install and type in your Product Key:
When prompted, enter your Product Key.
6. Perform a Custom (advanced) Install:
You will come to a point where you have to choose between an Upgrade and Custom Install. Make sure to choose Custom. Windows should now perform a clean install of Vista on your PC. Don’t forget to restart.
Although this may save you money, it is still cheaper to buy an OEM copy of Vista. You can read more about purchasing Windows Vista OEM here.
Still need help? Check out our new forums where you can get an even faster and better response!
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Hi Albert, Just wanted to let you know I tried this tip over the weekend and it worked great. No issues at all. Thanks for the tip. The only thing I encountered is a file called Windows.old that was almost 8 gigs so I guess it didn’t reinstall on top of the first install, but I just deleted the file. I now have a fresh install of XP and Vista. I couldn’t make the switch cold turkey.
Kevin.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Nice to know it had worked for you =) Yes I had forgotten to include that you have to delete such a file. It is called windows.old right?
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:17 pm
yep.
June 18th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
The technique works!! Vista would’t recognize that I had an ACPI compliant computer when I tried to install it from within XP. Doing the install straight from the disk (boot install) it wouldn’t let me activate cause it is an “upgrade disk” not a “clean install disk”. So, I installed Vista on top of my boot install and all is good. Using your technique got me around the problem when I thought there was no way around this “Catch 22″!!! THANK YOU!! :o)
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:09 pm
[...] Perform a Clean Install with a Vista Upgrade Disc [...]
August 5th, 2007 at 1:25 am
i followed instructions, but went with the top choice when it asked, during the custom install, how to partition. i now only have 16GB avail of an 80GB HD - which is the correct choice? thanks!
August 27th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
does this take care of the annoying countdown windows activation within 30 days message. i have a laptop run dual core intel, 80gb hard drive and 1.5gb ram and the laptop came with Vista Basic installed (the laptop is Toshiba A135-S2276).i have tried to crack, tweak and genuinely install vista ulimate, even with pirated product keys, but each time after installation i still get the annoying “Activation” warning.please how do i solve this challenge. looking forward to your early response. Lots of Love.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
So far so good but when coming to step #4 it says go to My Computer and install Vista. There is no “My computer” in Vista. Where the heck do I go to complete step #4?
Thanks.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
For Mac users, this also works with Boot Camp installation.
Thanks!
January 24th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Hey!
Was wondering if this still worked, I heard that Microsoft has might of made this impossible, but i am not sure…and also can/should i format my computer before doing this, because i upgraded my xp (vista capable) in July…anything will help.
THANKS!
January 31st, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I think Micro$oft “fixed” it. I tried about a dozen times this evening, but was not able to “run the upgrade from windows. I could not get past the forced activation page. It says the trial has run out and the only thing I can do is activate (for which the product key is not valid).
I guess I’m going to have to do a minimal XP install to get the upgrade to work.
GRRRRR. I own legal copies of XP! Why won’t Micro$oft just let me validate with one of those and go on?
February 1st, 2008 at 1:05 am
Update:
I found a way around the problem I just posted. When Vista installed it prompted me to (among other things) update the system clock. (This machine was a new build and I had not set the system clock yet.) The install had completed with a date of 2/28/2002. As soon as I updated the clock, Vista decided that my evaluation period had expired and would not let me do anything but activate. (i.e. no access to the desktop in order to run the setup program again.) I reformatted the disk and tried again and it worked. (One more thing — I unplugged the network cable this last time around just in case Vista was smart enough to go out to the net to get the current date.) I don’t know if that had any effect.
So, the moral of the story is- Check your system clock.
May 4th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Hey great work around but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I’m guessing my copy of vista upgrade is just upgrade because it didn’t have the option to install the OS as it required to start up the upgrade process from windows xp. Any workaround on this issue?
May 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Yeah, So I did an upgrade to clean out the files in my Vista installation (already had Vista and re-installed the upgrade to remove all the other files and start fresh) and when I did that, I deleted the Windodws.old file and now the stupid P.O.S. keeps restarting on a constant basis, freezes during/after start-up and when I try to repair the OS through the installation disk I get this message:
ProblemEventName: StartupRepairV2
Signature 01: Extrenal Media
Signature 02: 6.0.6000.16386.6.0.6000.16386
Signature 03: 2
Signature 04: 65537
Signature 05: Unknown
Signature 06: 0xc5
Signature 07: 0
Signature 08: 2
Signature 09: WrpRepair
OS Version : 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID : 1033
Unknown BugCheck: BugCheck c5
Parameters = 0×5788, 0×2, 0×0, 0×818e17c7
If anyone could possible help me to get around this problem it would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking about creating a Back-up disk and re-formatting the HDD and try the install trick you suggested (although the last time I remember trying that it said I had to install the upgrade through the my current windows installation) But if thats what it takes then I guess I might just have to do that. Thanks for your help.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hi Guy
I need help ,trying to install vista with a vista upgrade CD on my XPS 1710 laptop.The system pops up aasking me to load drivers or insert Cd with drivers i dont understand cos i know some people havce manage to use the upgrade CD to do fresh istallation .pls help
June 7th, 2008 at 9:05 am
can you use a vista upgrade disk in mac os x bootcamp?
then upgrade it from within vista..is it 100% working?
June 10th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
REPLY @Jack
Yeah you can use it on bootcamp. I just finished doing it on my macbook
June 28th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
ok i have messed up with my lappy
i have a hp laptop with vista home premium preinstalled and i formatted it without any backup. i thought that my recovery will recover that. now how can i get my vista back and activate it with my oem key?
HELP ME
July 19th, 2008 at 2:47 am
hi,
i installed windows vista the normal way so i guess its not a clean one. can still do a clean install or is that too late now?
August 20th, 2008 at 10:22 am
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