How to Perform a Clean Install with an Upgrade Version
If you buy an Upgrade version of Windows, it is generally understood that you need to have a previous version installed in order to install the Upgrade. It is possible, however, to install an Upgrade version of Vista without a previous Windows installation. This is how you would install your upgrade copy of Vista on a new hard drive, for example.
This procedure essentially entails installing Vista twice.
1. During the initial install, when presented with the opportunity to enter the Product Key
- Leave it blank
- Deselect the option titled Automatically activate Windows when I'm online
- ...then click Next
Setup will ask you whether you would like to enter your Product Key before continuing. Click No.
2. Setup will finish. You now have 30 days to run your non-activated version of Vista. Do not activate Windows now, because it will fail.
What you're going to do now is "Upgrade" your initial install.
1. From within Computer (Start>Computer) run setup again from the DVD.
2. Choose Install Now.
3. Choose Do not get the latest updates for installation.
4. Now, enter your Product Key, then you can choose whether or not to automatically activate Windows. It doesn't matter now; it has to be done sooner or later.
5. When presented with the choice to Upgrade, do so.
6. Setup will finish, and you now have a clean install.