Windows Seven Upgrade from XP Home?

Currently I'm running Windows XP Home and I'm looking to upgrade to Windows Seven Ultimate.

When I do a normal fresh install, I wipe the partition then allow my PC to boot up with the Windows XP disc in the drive so it can format and cleanly install everything. However, since the XP Home disc I have is just an upgrade, it asks me to to provide a previous version of Windows. This is the point that I pop my old Window 98 Disc in, then XP continues with the install.

Is there a cheaper Windows Seven Ultimate "Upgrade Edition" I can get that will let me do this type of clean install on an unpartitioned HDD with my XP upgrade disc? Or am I forced to purchase the full OS? I also don't want to update my current XP install. I'm only interested in fresh installs.

Thanks!

 

I've never done this so I could be wrong but it's my understanding that Win7 upgrade will do essentially a fresh install when going from XP to 7. I understand that the upgrade version just saves your data to a directory and you have to manually retrieve it.

Have you tried doing the Win7 installation on an empty HDD? I suspect it would allow the installation after you provide the XP disc even though it's an upgrade disk.

 

Great. Although I'm having some trouble finding an OEM Windows Seven Upgrade disc for sale.

 

The upgrade doesn't work when done from XP to 7, if you want to go the upgrade route, you need to go XP->vista, vista->7
Also, an OEM is only available to new computers, or system builders, so technically you shouldn't use one.

Also, if you are upgrading from home, you have to upgrade TO home.

EDIT:
I didn't read your post properly, just skimmed it.
The upgrade edition dumps your old install into a folder called "windows.old"
What your doing is installing the OS from scratch, not upgrading, so you should be buying the full licence. I can link you to a few places in the UK and ireland that sell OEM licences if your looking for them.

 

Thanks for the info. I've found full versions of Win7 Home Premium for about $120. That's the cheapest I've found them.

 

If I am reading this right, why not just do a clean install of the Win7 upgrade. IE format your HD and install Windows 7 fresh without XP being on there at all? This is possible.

 

Right, that's exacly what I'm refering to. However, I was concerned that if I tried to do fresh install on a wiped HDD, the "Upgrade" edition would not work with no current OS.

My Windows XP disc was just an upgrade and I had to provide a full version OS disc before installation would continue.

 

It will work just fine. There are some guides on how to do a clean install of Windows 7 upgrade without an OS present.

http://www.winsupersite.com/blogs/t...-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-the-answer.aspx

Holler back.

 

Do we have a status report yet please?

 

Sorry, but I wont have a status update till I can get the new system built, which I estimate is still about a week out.

Thanks though