Windows Vista Upgrade Editions - The Full Story

[Julius Caro]

I wish I had an upgrade key!!

An upgrade is not always recommended... because some of your apps might not work after upgrading, and the users folders are differente in windows vista, and that would mean migrating from the old structure to the new one (although I think Vista has symbolic links from the old documents and settings to the new Users, for "legacy support"). There's always a chance you screw things up.

Antivirus in XP have different kernel privileges than in vista , right? Which would mean you can screw the antivirus up easily too!

And overall, a lot of useless files are kept when upgrading.

That's the main reason most of us don't like an upgrade.

Then, what happens when you format your computer for whatever reason? There HAS to be a clean install option (what happens when you run the installer from within VISTA?).

And lastly, Upgrade versions have always been the same as the retail ones, with a reduced price. You could only use an upgrade version if you could prove that you had purchased a previous version of windows before. This is, upgrade versions have THE SAME features, but you can only use that license if you meet that requirement.

A clean install is a feature to me, I don't think that has to change now in upgrade versions. If there's no way you can perform a clean install from an upgrade disc, it has to be written somewhere in the box, or the EULA, or whatever: "This upgrade version IS the same as the retail one, BUT you can not perform a clean install". I wouldn't buy it if I knew that beforehand.

[peach]

I think that if everyone looks around on these forums they will find that this thread isn't really "news"

I announced how the upgrade discs would work months ago and everyone jumped on my ass saying I was wrong.

Now it looks like I was 100% exactly, dead on as for how it would work.

I agree 100% Morpheus Phreak - I read several weeks ago the entire thread where you explained how Vista would work and it's the best I've read anywhere as to how Vista will work on Full/Upgrades, etc. . I made a file from your posts, editing to just the questions and your answers.

I think it would be a great benefit to put a sticky on this site that can be referenced by all. The questions answered by you have been asked a billion time already and people are still give incorrect answers.

Great job Morpheus Phreak :yes: :yes:

[jmc777]

I don't think that is the issue, perhaps I'm wrong but here is my take on it: the upgrade editions of Vista required a previous Windows OS installed and activated and while right now there is no real issue. But there will come a time when you will not be able to activate your copy of Windows XP, as it will no longer be supported, what happens then?

Create an image of an activated XP installation and you won't have that problem should it ever arise.

[toy4x4]

Hmmm, wonder what happens if I do a clean install of Vista Ultimate without providing a key and then later go in and give it a upgrade key...

[Denis W. Veteran]

Hmmm, wonder what happens if I do a clean install of Vista Ultimate without providing a key and then later go in and give it a upgrade key...

Don't bother trying to install without a key and then entering the upgrade key when you have vista up and running either, the Licensing service gives an error which informs you that the key cannot be used for clean installs.

Damn

... which sucks. They could've at least allowed the licensing service to scan an older Windows XP license for upgrade eligibility.

[subcodec]

I did preorder the Vista ultimate upgrade about a week ago. While I don't mind installing from XP (I'll just keep an image as others have suggested), I'm wondering if since that computer is not running vista, could I install the XP on another computer?? Or is that computer basically hogging a license for both XP and Vista at the same time??

Is there anywhere a person can find the EULA for OEM, upgrade, and retail?? I'm sorta curious to the wording MS uses for each of these.

[theyarecomingforyou]

I'm wondering if since that computer is not running vista, could I install the XP on another computer?? Or is that computer basically hogging a license for both XP and Vista at the same time??

An upgrade is exactly that... an addition to the original product. If you could use any old version of XP to install Vista and keep on using XP there wouldn't be any point in the upgrade edition being sold.

[neojoker]

What I want to know is: say you have XP Pro. Can you buy the upgrade edition of Vista Home Premium and be eligible to use it? I mean, I don't think it would let you do an in-place upgrade over your current install judging by the upgrade matrix that I saw, but would it give you the option of a clean install if you start it from inside XP?

Or would you be required to by Vista Business or Ultimate if you wanted to use an Upgrade edition?

[Drebel]

yes but you would have to do a clean install AKA windows.old. Anyone know what will happen to the program files directory? I was planning on getting windows vista ultimate upgrade but now i'm thinking of getting home premium full just to be able to do a clean install.

Question: If I did buy the home premium FULL and use the anytime upgrade to ultimate and I have to reinstall windows, would I be able to choose ultimate instead of home premium for the upgrade

[neojoker]

This may have been mentioned, but there are so many threads concerning this that it is hard to keep up with what's already been stated. If you do purchase an upgrade edition, and you start the upgrade from within Windows as required, do you have the option to format the hard drive during setup so you can have a really clean install?

[Drebel]

um has anyone noticed this:

APPLIES TO

? Windows Vista Home Premium

? Windows Vista Home Basic

? Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition

? Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition

? Windows Vista Starter

Windows Vista Ultimate and Business don't appear any word if those versions can do a clean install/upgrade?

[Morpheus Phreak]

I agree 100% Morpheus Phreak - I read several weeks ago the entire thread where you explained how Vista would work and it's the best I've read anywhere as to how Vista will work on Full/Upgrades, etc. . I made a file from your posts, editing to just the questions and your answers.

I think it would be a great benefit to put a sticky on this site that can be referenced by all. The questions answered by you have been asked a billion time already and people are still give incorrect answers.

Great job Morpheus Phreak :yes: :yes:

Thanks peach :)

I'm always glad to be of use somewhere :)

Also for Xerxes, XP will be supported for quite a few years to come. By that time the next version of Windows will already be out so people won't really have to worry about it being supported for reinstalls.

yes but you would have to do a clean install AKA windows.old. Anyone know what will happen to the program files directory? I was planning on getting windows vista ultimate upgrade but now i'm thinking of getting home premium full just to be able to do a clean install.

Question: If I did buy the home premium FULL and use the anytime upgrade to ultimate and I have to reinstall windows, would I be able to choose ultimate instead of home premium for the upgrade

Yes, you are issues a new key when you do the AU and your old license is invalidated.

So that means from there on out when you reinstall you use the new key and choose Ultimate.

Neojoker check for my posts on this subject. I've outlined it exactly as to how it works quite some time ago.

Basically you can perform a clean install but it can be a pain.

1 method involves just doing an in place clean install and it renames all of the old windows files so you have to delete them afterwards.

The other method is installing XP on a 2nd partition/drive and then telling Vista to install to the first partition and then just formatting the 2nd partition/drive

[James B]

1 method involves just doing an in place clean install and it renames all of the old windows files so you have to delete them afterwards.

The other method is installing XP on a 2nd partition/drive and then telling Vista to install to the first partition and then just formatting the 2nd partition/drive

I can't remember what I did now... I think I formatted everything and installed XP (with nothing else) and then ran the Vista Upgrade.

Turns out the problems we discussed here are more widespread than just the edition I have. And now it's confirmed;

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070128-8717.html

[testman]

Well this Microsoft support article confirms it. You can't use an upgrade key to perform a clean install of Windows.

[qbie]

This well and truly sucks.

I have a new Mobo and gfx card here, and tomorrow morning I was gonna do a clean install of Vista Ultimate after I'd put my new PC together.

Now I have to reinstall and reactivate XP on my new hardware, then install Vista? I know this will give me a clean system, but still it's just an extra step I shouldn't have to take. Whats more I'll probably have to ring MS up to reactivate XP as all my hardware has completely changed.

Not sure if I should even bother now.

ffs.

q

[Drebel]

according to the MS article the Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade is not affected nor is the business so I suppose you can do a clean install with those.

[qbie]

I'm not sure that article is right, if you read the first post in this thread, the guy is saying he can't do a clean upgrade boot from a Business Upgrade disc.

So who's right?

q

[Drebel]

I have no idea I sent an email to microsoft through that website and they will get back to me. But if you read closely it s tates: buy a licence that has this feature and neither ultimate nor business appear in this section. I'm still confused over these changes but I want X64 and ultimate is the only ed that includes this in the package.

[Tiger.Girl]

IMHO this is unacceptable. There is no reason the installer couldn't just ask for your XP CD and/or product key, then even go online and verify it if they want. It works fine for now until you want to format. Then what? Sure you could backup your drive after you install it but then when you restore it a year later you will have to do a years worth of updates. You could slipstream the updates to the upgrade disc but then if you do that you still have to install XP or something first. Users are better off pirating. Nice job Microsoft! :rolleyes:

[blachole]

um has anyone noticed this:

APPLIES TO

? Windows Vista Home Premium

? Windows Vista Home Basic

? Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition

? Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition

? Windows Vista Starter

Windows Vista Ultimate and Business don't appear any word if those versions can do a clean install/upgrade?

I have been trying to figure this out all day since I plan on buying the Ultimate Upgrade tonight. Can anyone confirm this?

[grunger106]

I'm not sure that article is right, if you read the first post in this thread, the guy is saying he can't do a clean upgrade boot from a Business Upgrade disc.

So who's right?

q

The disks are the same, its the key! you cannot do a format, clean dvd boot install from a business upgrade key. Trust me i've tried all the possible ways