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    Win7 free upgrade vs. clean install

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by firstwardo, Oct 8, 2009.

  1. firstwardo

    firstwardo Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, from my understanding, the free Win7 upgrade option on recently purchased PC's is more like a mega-patch than than buying it and doing a clean install. Please correct me if I am wrong, I am right, I will ask my question
     
    firstwardo, Oct 8, 2009
    #1
  2. sgilmore62

    sgilmore62 uber doomer

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    You can do a clean install with an upgrade disk--it just needs to detect a validated copy of Vista or XP before it will let you proceed with formatting/installing.
     
    sgilmore62, Oct 8, 2009
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  3. firstwardo

    firstwardo Notebook Consultant

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    So would you get better performance if you bought a clean version of Win7 compared to an upgrade?
     
    firstwardo, Oct 8, 2009
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  4. hardcorp

    hardcorp Notebook Consultant

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    Ether way should not make a difference on performance.
     
    hardcorp, Oct 8, 2009
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  5. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    ...

    do the clean install.

    always clean install new operating systems.
     
    masterchef341, Oct 8, 2009
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  6. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    If you get the free upgrade disc, it's YOUR CHOICE whether to use it to do an in-place upgrade (mega-patch) or a clean install. If you buy a retail copy of Windows 7, it's also your choice which one to do. You'll get to choose at installation time. If you choose the defaults it'll probably do the in-place upgrade... but you should be able to change that during the installation process.

    In other words, the installation options (in-place upgrade vs. clean install) are not dependent on which way you acquired the disc. You'll have both options whichever way you get the Windows 7 DVD.
     
    swarmer, Oct 8, 2009
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  7. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

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    The most SAFE and STABLE way is to do a CLEAN INSTALLATION.
    I don't like UPGRADE anyway. For me, it is almost a useless function.
    Benefits of CLEAN INSTALLATION:
    a.) No BUGS in the future(crash, freeze and etc).
    b.) Remove Virus/Spyware of the previous System(if there are any).
    c.) Clean up useless bloatware or software from the laptop manufacturer.
     
    DarkSilver, Oct 9, 2009
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  8. mtarm1

    mtarm1 Notebook Evangelist

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    mtarm1, Oct 9, 2009
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  9. Pirx

    Pirx Notebook Virtuoso

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    There is no such thing as an "unclean version of Win7". The upgrade disk contains exactly the same OS as the standard one. The only difference is that in order to install from an upgrade disk, you must provide proof that you qualify for the upgrade. After you have done that, you are, of course, free to do a clean install.
     
    Pirx, Oct 9, 2009
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  10. Bluewookie

    Bluewookie Notebook Guru

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    It's all a bit misleading, especially the part about the upgrade needing to see a validated copy of VISTA.

    What if, for example, you do your original upgrade, choose the clean install option. It sees the the validated VISTA, lets you go ahead...

    What happens if at some point you want to do a clean install again?
     
    Bluewookie, Oct 9, 2009
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  11. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    I'm sure it can be installed over windows 7 in addition to vista.
     
    Trottel, Oct 9, 2009
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  12. firstwardo

    firstwardo Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks guys for the help, I being a half-mac user, was a bit confused. :3
     
    firstwardo, Oct 9, 2009
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  13. sublime313

    sublime313 Notebook Evangelist

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    I did an in place upgrade first. Process took like 2 hours.

    Then decided to do a clean install which took about 20 minutes.
     
    sublime313, Oct 9, 2009
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  14. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

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    With Vista there was a trick to clean install through the upgrade. We can't discuss it there but it's easily found on google.
     
    JCMS, Oct 9, 2009
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  15. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    I cannot be installed over Windows 7.

    It has been well documented that upgrade disk NEED to see a previous installation before it can be successfully activated.

    This is the reason to buy a full version vs an upgrade license.

    Or just image your disk.

    Edit:

    http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/pages/moving-to-windows-7-faq.aspx

    Oh but we CAN discuss it here. Under the Vista upgrade program, a valid previous installation of windows included Windows 2000, XP and Vista. Not so much a trick, but just not obvious. You would install a non activated installation of Vista, using the upgrade disk. Then boot the OS, pop in the upgrade disk and hit Install now.
     
    surfasb, Oct 10, 2009
    #15