Windows 7 Clean install with Upgrade disk

Computer Technology and Software

July 28th, 2010 by admin

Ok, i did a bit of research and found a way to use a Windows 7 upgrade CD key on a clean install. Best part? I called Microsoft tech and asked them if this was legal and they said YES! Apparently it could not record the desktop when the user account control window came up. Just click yes. In case you missed it the path in the Regedit window was the following: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE The command in the command prompt was slmgr.vbs -rearm AGAIN! IF YOU SCREW UP YOUR COMPUTER IN THE REGISTRY I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE! DO NOT WHINE AT ME IF YOU CANT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS! PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK. It worked for me. There is no guarantee that it will work for you. I have not seen it fail yet... but if you dont follow instructions exactly then it definitely wont. Here is a link to the screenshot for the command successful message for the REARM. pantless-gaming.com

25 Responses

MechaNintendoMast writes:
July 28th, 20104:57 pmat

You don’t have to edit the registry

Do the clean install but don’t activate yet.
When everythings done put the disk in again and do a upgrade install.
Now activate.
You’ll fool windows since it’ll see another os already on the hard drive.
bmd85 writes:
July 28th, 20105:14 pmat

Ok, I booted from disc again since I could never find “activate windows” and it actually booted??? I also in my efforts tried the command prompt slmg /rearm (i think i spelled it right?) if that makes a diff ???
bmd85 writes:
July 28th, 20105:15 pmat

I typed activate and nothing pops up? Where can I find this program?
dhfhs2 writes:
July 28th, 20106:08 pmat

Hey um I was doing a full factory restore with windows vista and it crashed! Now windows vista starts up with nothing but a black screen and a mouse. Can I still upgrade to windows 7? Right now i’m using windows 7 enterprise trial and all the files from vista transfered over so would it work? And if it worked would I be able to do a “clean install”?
nakedvolleyball writes:
July 28th, 20106:25 pmat

Fooling around in the registry will NOT “hose your machine”. It could, at worst, make your machine unbootable (but certainly not with this tweak). And since the people you are talking to are installing an OS, all they’d have to do is re-install it. So, just back-up.
nakedvolleyball writes:
July 28th, 20107:23 pmat

@zimdooga How many Universities do you got? Asking because “universities” is plural…not possessive, which means your university probably made a mistake accepting you, since you don’t know how to write ” my university’s”….because, also “university” does NOT need to be capitalized…unless you were writing it as a proper name, like “Syracuse University”. You’re welcome.
nakedvolleyball writes:
July 28th, 20107:36 pmat

@anubis1055 I think he actually means “harold and maude”. Because there’s no such movie as “harold and kumar”. That would be gay.
redsoldier123 writes:
July 28th, 20108:19 pmat

i get this message trying to upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit and for the last time my Computer IS compatible ive been asked that too many times i used 5 programs they all say yes but i cant even do a clean install it says this when i run setup The Version of this file is? not compatible with the version if windows you are running. Check your computer’s system info to see whether you need x86orx64 version of the program, and then contact the software publisher..!!
zimdooga writes:
July 28th, 20108:34 pmat

Thank You!!!!!!!!! Worked great I had vista 32 bit bought 64 bit in my Universities bookstore and worked like a charm it’s soooo easy. I personally have two hardrives and keep all my files on one and put the os on the other so it makes it really easy to change up my operating system with I want
itchyfingers89 writes:
July 28th, 20109:33 pmat

Can I do a clean install with an upgrade disc from a newly built “virgin” pc?
Cavsfan54 writes:
July 28th, 201010:18 pmat

Will this cause any negative side effects down the road with Windows Updates or anything like that? What happened with me is that I tried to upgrade Vista, but it wouldn’t boot, so I formatted my computer and then installed Windows 7 upgrade edition, but now I can’t activate it because there was no Windows OS on my hard drive.
MagicBytes writes:
July 28th, 201010:34 pmat

Hello anubis1055, thank you very much for this great video tutorial, you saved me heaps of work and time, your tutorial worked like a charm !
Well constructed video, nice and clear. excellent !

Thanks a MILLION times.
gameplay716 writes:
July 28th, 201010:35 pmat

@flipmode00 use timernuke it disables the activation so u dont have to activate it but u have windows 7 no trial ill gove the download link if u want pm back u want it
badjoj015 writes:
July 28th, 201011:29 pmat

Awesome video!
Thanks dude!

What mic r u using?
flipmode00 writes:
July 28th, 201011:56 pmat

hey is there a way to activate a copy?
anubis1055 writes:
July 29th, 201012:10 amat

This wont do anything to your XP key. All this does is force windows to accept the cd key entered. At no point in the installation process does it require you to enter your xp cd key. Think of it like doing a full install and using an upgrade cd key. This method will wipe everything from your system as it starts with a clean install. This is only the activation portion of it.
chouzan writes:
July 29th, 20101:10 amat

By doing this I take it you get around the restriction where installing 7 over XP/Vista may invalidate the old CD-Key like Vista did? I’m building a new desktop with access to the upgrade version, but I’d rather not invalidate my XP if at all possible.

If I used the Upgrade disk and this method, however possibly unethical, would it allow me to retain my XP on my laptop and have 7 on my desktop, or does 7 installation include entering an XP Product key?
jreid425 writes:
July 29th, 20101:28 amat

lol – “if you have issues following instructions….please….don’t do this”
Nice tut 5*
07dc180196 writes:
July 29th, 20102:16 amat

i have a windows 7 ultimate x64 on my comp but its pirated i got off internet im going 2 get windows 7 home premium x64 but can i do a clean install format hard drive and install with the upgrade disc which i can get it 4 £79.99
Okshutit writes:
July 29th, 20102:57 amat

Thanks. Taking the plunge to 64 bit so this vid was a big help.
anubis1055 writes:
July 29th, 20103:03 amat

For the not so smart youtube users… THIS IS NOT HOW TO GET WINDOWS 7 FOR FREE! With this in mind this isnt a comment area for how to get windows 7 for free. go ahead and use a hacked copy. Be smart, dont use windows updates. That is the single most successful way Microsoft tracks software piracy.
anubis1055 writes:
July 29th, 20103:58 amat

@zoolanderhansel never seen the movie
zoolanderhansel writes:
July 29th, 20104:50 amat

hey thanks, btw u sound like kumar from that “harold and kumar” movie..
TheVmware writes:
July 29th, 20105:35 amat

Thank You Thank You!
Cracmejep writes:
July 29th, 20106:17 amat

Thank You!