upgrade key on clean install (pre and post install workaround)

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by WinFLP, Aug 3, 2010.

  1. WinFLP

    WinFLP MDL Senior Member

    Nov 18, 2009
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    #1 WinFLP, Aug 3, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
  2. angelwolf71885

    angelwolf71885 MDL Novice

    Sep 3, 2009
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    what about installing a version below your upgrade key ie starter and then using your upgrade key with anytime upgrade?
     
  3. WinFLP

    WinFLP MDL Senior Member

    Nov 18, 2009
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    The current version must be activated before you can use Anytime Upgrade.
     
  4. daniel.soderstrom

    daniel.soderstrom MDL Novice

    Aug 10, 2010
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    what media?

    should an upgrade-media be used for this guide or a normal oem image?

    Cheers
     
  5. WinFLP

    WinFLP MDL Senior Member

    Nov 18, 2009
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    Doesn't matter! I updated the guide to reflect this.
     
  6. daniel.soderstrom

    daniel.soderstrom MDL Novice

    Aug 10, 2010
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    Excellent thread. Now I can finally fix my girlfriends win 7 computer which is an absolute mess. (upgraded win 7 without any remaining discs).

    thanks a bunch!
     
  7. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    And why not to use OEM SLP key & have all these extra steps?

    sebus
     
  8. WinFLP

    WinFLP MDL Senior Member

    Nov 18, 2009
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    Several reasons:
    1) Wanting to use a legitimate purchased upgrade key. For example a copy purchased from student discount program, or trying to repair a customer's PC (bad news trying to install pirated software on a customer's PC). My PC shipped with a copy of Vista Home premium, SP0 with all sorts of OEM preloaded junk. I purchased a Windws 7 Professional upgrade key. I always do a clean install instead of an inplace upgrade. I'm meeting the licence qualifications of the upgrade (I have a vista licence) but I don't want to go through the hassle of installing an OS just to scrap it in the upgrade. Unlike previous versions where you could just insert the disc of a previous version as proof, I want the closest equivalent.

    2) Educational reasons some people are interested in how the sytem works. I'm thoroughly intrigued to learn how the activation system works rather than leave it a mysterious black box. This is particularly useful when you're trying to help people having problems using products they paid for.

    3) Unless your system came preinstalled with Win7 + SLIC 2.1 + cert you have to get involved in BIOS modding or using a loader which involves extra steps. I was interested in presenting a method that users can use their legitimately purchased key if they wish to do a clean install (either through preference or because they had a hard drive failure)
     
  9. daniel.soderstrom

    daniel.soderstrom MDL Novice

    Aug 10, 2010
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    I followed the guide and managed to do a clean install with an upgrade key. I was between a rock and a hard place with no discs and the difficulties of trying to recover without knowing the OS-language (german).

    A clean install was much easier - no language skills needed really ;)

    once again many thanks - computer works as a charm now.
     
  10. FrozenC0re

    FrozenC0re MDL Novice

    Dec 22, 2012
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    I'm about to do this same thing with an upgrade key, can anyone tell me if this still works, or point me in the direction of a method that does?
     
  11. Unethrope

    Unethrope MDL Novice

    Nov 29, 2013
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    This still works. Sweet post; thank you so much.
     
  12. Flyboyrls

    Flyboyrls MDL Novice

    Mar 18, 2014
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    #12 Flyboyrls, Mar 18, 2014
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2014
    Hey Guys, a newbie here. Just wondering if this workaround still works for Win 7? I have a reinstall disk and an Anytime Upgrade key and would like to do a clean install of Win 7 Home Professional if possible.

    Update: I have tried both methods and neither one seems to work any longer. Suggestions?