Facebook Plunges Again
Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Save $80 on your Windows 7 purchase - the Upgrade does full installs, too
Paul Thurott and a friend over at the SuperSite Blog have worked out how to perform a clean Windows 7 install using the upgrade disc. Come again?That's right: save $80 and buy the Windows 7 Upgrade disc, because you can use it to perform a clean, full-featured installation. Awesome!
The instructions are as follows:
1. Perform a clean installation using the Upgrade disc -- this should work without a hitch.
2. Make sure there are no Windows Updates pending -- if there's an orange shield icon next to the Shutdown button in the Start Menu, that means you need to reboot before attempting the next steps.
3. Open 'regedit.exe' from the Start Menu -- just type it in there, where it says: Search programs and files. Accept the User Account Control dialogue that pops up to give yourself Windows 7 superpowers.
4. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/
5. Change MediaBootInstall from '1' to '0'
6. Open the Start Menu again and type 'cmd' -- use ctrl+shift+enter to run it as an elevated-permissions user
7. Finally, type slmgr /rearm -- and press enter.
Your computer will now reboot and run the Activate Windows utility. Type in your product key aaaaaaand, as the SuperSite Blog says: voila! Much love, Paul.
Comments
36
Subscribe to commentsSushiPillowOct 24th 2009 1:50PM
So DownloadSquad is encouraging its readers to break the law now?
jsextonOct 25th 2009 7:49AM
I think the issue is the upgrade path. I have not read the EULA, but traditionally the upgrade required you own a copy of Windows. If you own XP, you cannot directly upgrade to Windows 7. I would like to check the EULA, because it would seem to me that the upgrade does not work because of the different file system (much like upgrading from 98 to XP was not directly possible), not necessarily a licensing issue.
JoshOct 25th 2009 4:04PM
So in conclusion, can I install Windows 7 via clean installation over Vista (same version and both 32-bit) with the free upgrade disc I received from HP (purchased a computer through theme recently)? Do I need to worry about this trick, or will it just work?
Sebastian AnthonyOct 25th 2009 4:45PM
I don't think you are going to get any guarantees... but it sounds highly likely.
JoshOct 26th 2009 9:37AM
And if it doesn't work, what can I do then? I can't go back and run an upgrade, I already have Windows 7 on the machine and I can't get Vista back to upgrade over?
FishDS9Oct 27th 2009 7:04AM
I was able to do a full install of 7 Pro update thanks to your tips Paul. Thanks!
LongshotXOct 28th 2009 3:51PM
Cool pies.
thunderlipsOct 28th 2009 8:31PM
As much as this is a neat trick, this isn't legal and I'm surprised you would post this on your website encouraging your users to do this. Now I can see why companies become dicks when it comes to DRM...
FishDS9Oct 28th 2009 8:56PM
I have a valid copy of win xp home. I did the install full hack to save time. I could have done the install xp home and then upgrade 7 route but decided to cut out the middle man so to speak.
DanaNov 4th 2009 8:17AM
To break from the current thread a little...I purchased a computer in January; had to have it replaced in June. It had Windows Vista on it. Fine. I am a student and purchased the $30 upgrade. HOWEVER, my problem is that my computer did NOT come with VISTA CDs and I can't find my key number for the validation portion of the upgrade. I did the upgrade, but I think within 30 days it is going to insist on the Key number.
My question: At school we can actually be provided the full version of Windows 7 for free (different key codes for each student) as part of our degree plan. What would happen if I just did that and install the full version on top of what is already there? Will it completely wipe out my hard drive?
Thank you all for taking your time to reply.
Sebastian AnthonyNov 4th 2009 9:47AM
None of the installs wipe the hard disk, unless you tell it to. A 'clean install' is the operating system without any programs.
An upgrade attempts to copy over all the program files, so you don't have to re-install them.
Nothing is deleted during a Windows 7 install, unless you tell it to.
DanaNov 4th 2009 12:56PM
So bottom line...I could take this full version of Windows 7 from school and install it, since it has the key code, and it should not mess up my computer. Yes, I have all my documents and music and such already backed up on a flash drive. Since it is a relatively new computer, I don't have much in the way of documents and music on it.
Thank you, Sebastian, for taking the time to answer my question today.
Ken o Tron 77Nov 7th 2009 12:34AM
It worked for me! Thank you very much!!!
Installed on a fresh new HD and no probelmo. Since MS sent me an upgrade copy of Home Premium instead of a full copy, and were ass clowns about me trying to get it fixed, this was a blessing.
I do own XP and really did not want to double install something. Plus I do not think that this is illegal to do, it just saves people hours of would be wasted time. You still should be purchasing you own copy anyway.
ValkerienightNov 10th 2009 3:05AM
Anyone who says this is illegal is wrong. There's absolutely nothing illegal about this procedure. The only thing is you're going around an obstacle in order to enter your FULLY LEGAL cd-key for Windows 7 since it won't accept it during a custom install. And no, there is no difference between a custom install and an upgrade install other than with an upgrade, you're keeping your old files and with a custom, you're installing completely fresh. There's a reason why the install cd gives you an option for both :p
atemmonsNov 11th 2009 11:35PM
I have a mac and would like to partition my hard drive and run 7 on the second hard drive. can I buy the upgrade and install it dry like that?
BuggerJan 8th 2010 8:02PM
Or you could always, y'know, pirate it and save yourself even more cash.