Difference between retail and upgrade

What are the differences, exactly? I understand that upgrade version is for vista users upgrading to win7. Is there any advantage of using a full retail? Is "clean install" only available with the retail version? Do you guys think the retail version will be along the prices of other OS in retail of same version (~250 dollars?) I could purchase win7 upgrade coupon with vista installed (~150 dollars total).

What do you guys think?

 

The retail version is the version you buy in a retail store. They sell both an upgrade and full version in retail markets. The difference between the full version and the upgrade is the upgrade will require that Vista is already installed on the pc. A person that has XP will need the full version to move to Windows 7 because (unless it's changed) the upgrade won't work with XP. There is an OEM version that's sold through place like Newegg which is usually cheaper then the retail version but the support you get is limited. I've seen that some vendors will be giving coupons for windows 7 if you purchase pc's after June 26th and before Windows 7 comes actually installed on the new laptops. Each computer maker will handle this but the Windows DVD will come from Microsoft.

 

WRONG. Don't mislead people if you are not sure!

Correction: You can do clean install whether you had the Retail version of the Upgrade version, the only difference is that with the upgrade version, it will ask you to insert your Vista DVD before it can start the setup! but clean install after a format can be done with both.

 

That was the case with XP, MSFT changed that with Vista. There is a workaround to clean install Vista with an Upgrade key but it involves a double install - PITA. 7 Upgrade will most likely work the same way Vista Upgrade did.

 

I wasn't trying to mislead anyone. I just figure if you own a copy of Vista you would have it installed especially if you paid retail price..
Ok I will reword it saying you must have a fully licensed copy of Vista (either installed or the DVD). So you could have XP installed as long as you have the Vista DVD. This is the legal way to do it. There are illegal ways that don't need to be discussed.

 

Since OEM version's been mentioned, it's important to note that with the Full retail version, the licence is easily transferable between machines, i.e. if you buy/build a new system you can install Windows and activate with the same key as long as the previous install is removed/deactivated.

With OEM licence, MSFT only allows that in unusual circumstances, i.e. your motherboard dies, MSFT in this case will allow a change of hardware with an OEM licence. Since this is a grey area, as MSFT rarely requires proof of a machine/motherboard dying, people have used this as a loophole to get an OEM licence to have all the benefits, sans support, of a full retail version.

 

So then, would it be wise to purchase Vista Premium (~100 dollars) OEM with the computer then get the coupon for Win7 upgrade (50 dollars) or purchase the retail when it comes out? Would it be no doubt more than 200 dollars?

 

Yes but make sure the manufacturer is offering the coupon before you buy. Don't go by heresay.

 

And whatever you buy, don't buy it before June 26.