Member Avatar for zalax

I remember one of the most useful pieces of info anyone ever gave me regarding XP and my current build, they said buy the upgrade only, IF you still have your 98 disk. Because the entire OS, was on the XP update CD, and during installation if XP didn't find a Windows OS on the HD, it would ask you to insert you qualifying product (Win 98, Win 95) disk. Then Badda bing, it asked you to insert your XP disk, and the installation went to completion. My question is, does it work the same way with Vista?

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Vista Ignoramus

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Short answer: the Vista Upgrade disc contains the full OS image, but Microsoft ties an Upgrade license to ownership of a qualifying Windows product. That means you can get a perfectly clean install using Upgrade media — but only if the upgrade check is satisfied by running setup from a qualifying Windows instance (or by using the common two-step clean-install method that many people used at the time).

Practical options and what to expect:

  • If you already have a qualifying Windows installation on the machine, run the Upgrade DVD from inside that existing Windows. You can choose the Custom install after the installer validates the qualifying copy and wipe the drive for a true clean install.
  • If you are starting with a blank hard drive, the widely used workaround is: install Vista from the Upgrade DVD without entering a product key (create the first local account), then while running that new Vista, run the DVD's setup.exe and choose Upgrade over that installation. That second step lets the installer perform the “upgrade” check and allows activation. Always keep your qualifying-product proof or license handy in case Microsoft requests it.

Licensing and buying advice:

  • OEM copies are cheaper but are tied to the first PC they are installed on and carry little direct Microsoft support. Retail full copies cost more but are transferable. Upgrade media is cheaper but requires you to own a qualifying license.
  • Back up data, gather drivers, and be prepared for phone activation if online activation fails. Keep recovery media for the previous OS until you are sure Vista is activated and working.

Note: and pointed to official guides that explain compatibility checks; was right about OEM tradeoffs; and ’s reminder about the installer checking from a running Windows is the key point—just be aware of the two-step clean-install method if you need to install on a blank drive.

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Member Avatar for zalax

Well done, that's exactly what I was looking for

Zalax

Member Avatar for OlyComputers

If you're upgrading a current system you can use the upgrade, but if you're building from scratch you can buy an OEM copy, they're usually cheaper than Upgrades (I believe) and are great if you know what you're doing. The one downside is that they don't include the same microsoft support that Retail (and I'm assuming Upgrade) does since you're supposed to be the system "manufacturer".

Member Avatar for jbennet

On vista upgrade you need to install it from within a working windows OS. It no longer accepts a CD as valid proof.

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