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When you first encounter this prompt for your product key, just hit next and proceed with setup.

Choose which version of Windows you have purchased, check the box and click Next.

Once the first install of Vista is completed and you start the second install from within Vista, you'll need to enter your product key.

Choose "Custom (advanced)" to perform a clean install.

Once the second install of Vista has been completed, you can activtate your installation through Microsoft.
Microsoft internal documentation reveals workaround for Vista Upgrade DVDs with no need for a previous version of Windows

DailyTech reported on Monday that Microsoft no longer performs disc checks during an operating system install. In the past, when performing a clean install, a user could boot from an install CD and insert a disc from a previous version of Windows for upgrade compliance.

However, per Microsoft's new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP. When this occurs, the Windows XP license is forfeited and the Windows Vista installation process can take place.

DailyTech has confirmed a new workaround proposed by Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents).

This workaround allows users to perform a “clean install.” The process is a bit tedious, but is not hard at all to complete. Users have to perform these simple steps to perform a clean install of Vista without a previous version of Windows installed with an upgrade DVD:

  1. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
  2. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click "Next" and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
  3. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
  4. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
  5. This time, type in your product key when prompted.
  6. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.
  7. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.

There's no telling why Microsoft left this loophole wide open with Windows Vista Upgrade DVDs, but this means that any retail upgrade DVD can be used as a fully functioning full retail copy of Vista.

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Windows Vista OEM
By livinloud on 1/31/2007 6:50:00 AM , Rating: 4
Why people just don't buy Vista OEM? IT cost the same thing as an upgrade but you can do fresh install.




RE: Windows Vista OEM
By swim2383 on 1/31/2007 8:02:13 AM , Rating: 2
you can find oem for less actually. i also don't understand why you would want to pay more for an upgrade; it is only a bigger pain in the ass.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By Shawn on 2/1/2007 10:46:56 PM , Rating: 2
Because you can get the academic version of Vista Home Premium for $70.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By rockyct on 1/31/2007 8:15:53 AM , Rating: 2
I bought Vista for $75 shipped from a store that sells academic software. However, if I wasn't a student, I would go the OEM way since it looks like you can transfer the license to a new compuer with an OEM version, just like a full version.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By kamel5547 on 1/31/2007 11:59:52 AM , Rating: 2
Depends... if MS enforces the license agreement you can't. OEM licenses specifically state they are non-transferable. The only real loophole would be what determines a transfer (i.e. does a new mobo/CPU count as a transfer or does it take something else). Generally it has been accepted that the license is tied to the motherboard, which can only be replaced in the case of a failure. Likely in MS's eyes you also should replace it with an equivalent, and not use it as an excuse to do an upgrade.




RE: Windows Vista OEM
By bmheiar on 1/31/2007 1:59:29 PM , Rating: 2
Which store did you buy from & which version of Vista Upgrade? Just curious. All the academic software online stores that I have looked at, have only Vista Home Premium Upgrade at academic pricing. Ex: www.academicsuperstore.com $69.95, www.campustech.com $69.85, www.journeyed.com $89.98, www.gradware.com $74.95, & etc. I do not seen any of them selling Vista Ultimate full or the upgrade version at academic pricing. Just curious will anyone be selling Vista Ultimate full or upgrade at an academic price?


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By rockyct on 1/31/2007 8:27:49 PM , Rating: 2
Campus Tech. I don't think Microsoft makes a academic version of Ultimate. I know I would have gotten that. Although, you can upgrade within Premium to Ultimate and that would make it cheaper overall than a retail version of Ultimate upgrade, but I guess about the same price as an OEM copy.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By X2 3800 on 1/31/2007 11:42:56 AM , Rating: 2
Why retail? Because it includes MS support; OEM is "you're on your own -- see your seller for support." Hence the price difference. For most enthusists, support is not a concern, but for those that think they might need to call the mothership once in a while, the extra $40 (using Premium as an example) may be worth spending.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By Le Québécois on 1/31/2007 12:16:37 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Why retail? Because it includes MS support; OEM is "you're on your own -- see your seller for support."


No it's not just that, at least not according to this (the only place where I found clear information about the new EULA):

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=166

quote:
The new license terms say: “You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between devices.”

quote:
Here are the practical implications of the change:

If you purchase a new computer with Windows Vista preinstalled, or if you build your own PC using an OEM version of Windows , this change doesn't affect you. Your copy is locked to that PC and cannot be transferred to another.


If you find another link with information that contradict this, you're welcome to reply to my comment, because I would love to pay half the price for a OEM version.



RE: Windows Vista OEM
By rtrski on 2/1/2007 11:11:32 AM , Rating: 2
With the retail purchase you also get x86 and x64 - don't know if the same is true for upgrade, but I believed it to be so.

OEM you only get one or the other. The assertion being "it can only be installed on one piece of hardware, therefore you "know" which you want ahead of time."

Specious argument, IMO, but that's another difference in the OEM vs. retail/upgrade price.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By InsaneGain on 1/31/2007 1:20:11 PM , Rating: 2
I thought you had to buy a new computer system to be able to get the OEM version of any Windows.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By JSK on 1/31/2007 2:47:09 PM , Rating: 2
No you only need buy a "qualifying piece of hardware".

Which I have seen be anything from a IDE cable, to a keyboard, to a fan.

How legal that is I am not sure.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By kingtone on 1/31/2007 6:02:35 PM , Rating: 2
More info on OEM can be found here: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2088385...

My OEM is on it's way from NewEgg


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By Filibuster on 2/5/2007 9:04:49 AM , Rating: 2
This is not true anymore. Microsoft changed the system builder license (OEM) a while ago. Here is a good article on this. The Microsoft OEM license Pdfs are not online for some reason right now or I'd quote them directly.

http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2005/09/0...

I'm not sure what agreement Newegg (and other online retailers) have with Microsoft but from an actual system builder point of view, its very different from the way it used to be.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By Endo on 2/1/2007 11:51:16 AM , Rating: 3
Because that awesome retail box is so worth the $180!!


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By timmiser on 2/5/2007 12:44:44 PM , Rating: 2
With the upgrade retail edition, you can use Windows Vista for the next 5-6 years (or however long you need to) over multiple system (cpu/motherboard/etc) upgrades of your system. With the oem, you can't do that.

In other words, with the OEM, if you buy a completly new computer upgrade a couple years from now, you can't reactivate an oem license on your new equipment.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By glennpratt on 2/9/2007 1:16:11 PM , Rating: 2
In theory, maybe. In practice, they always let you reactivate. Maybe it will change in the future, who knows, but I don't see it as much of a gamble.

I've probably reactivated 20 OEM Windows installs on totally different hardware for people. Sometimes you have to call, sometimes you don't, but it always worked.


RE: Windows Vista OEM
By somerset on 2/8/2007 12:03:48 PM , Rating: 2
Most people dont know where to buy OEM...


Another Option...
By PepperIsBetter on 1/31/07, Rating: 0
RE: Another Option...
By Hare on 1/31/2007 3:07:30 AM , Rating: 2
Isn't this exactly the thing people are trying to avoid?
quote:
2. Install XP (you don't even have to activate)
People would prefer just installing Vista without first installing XP.


RE: Another Option...
By ninjit on 1/31/2007 3:18:47 AM , Rating: 2
Your missing the point of this completely.

It means that someone without any Windows XP cd or license at all can go out and buy the upgrade version ($100 - $150 cheaper than the full retail) and install it on their system.


RE: Another Option...
By Furen on 1/31/2007 3:44:43 AM , Rating: 2
No, the point was getting a clean install without from an upgrade DVD without having to migrate anything at all from Windows XP (hence the "clean" thing), which his method does, too. The ability to install the upgrade without having Windows XP is just a side-effect of the workaround with I'm guessing MS may be able to correct through its activation (if upgrade keys can be told apart from retail keys they could just ask for your XP key as well when activating, for example)...


RE: Another Option...
By Bootstrap on 1/31/2007 8:24:54 AM , Rating: 3
MS never said that you couldn't do a clean install -- the comments stating otherwise were misinterpretations of what MS posted (which was understandably confusing). In fact, it's been stated for months that you may be required to do a clean install, depending on what OS version you're upgrading from. The only thing we learned is that a "clean" install still requires you to have a fully working installation of an old OS. So now, we always have to go through the installation procedure for an old OS, only to have the Vista installation immediately wipe it out and start over, just for the sake of verifying upgrade eligibility.

This is what most of the complaints are about -- why should I have to completely install XP or 2000, just to have Vista immediately delete it? Worse, since 2000 has no activation, installing the entire OS doesn't give Vista any more information than inserting the disk during the installation would have -- as far as I understand it, nothing is preventing someone from installing an illegal copy of 2000 and then upgrading to Vista, so I fail to see how this ridiculous upgrade procedure accomplishes anything other than wasting everyone's time.


RE: Another Option...
By Lifted on 1/31/2007 11:23:16 AM , Rating: 2
Has anyone tried performing an upgrade from 2000 or XP using known bad keys? We know MS keeps track of CD keys's that are in the wild, so perhaps they save the CD Key from your old OS when performing the upgrade, then send it back to MS when you perform your Vista activation. At that point they can either deny your activation as an "upgrade" since you had a bogus CD key on your original install, or just use the information for their own business/reporting purposes. Again, this is all speculation.


RE: Another Option...
By ninjit on 1/31/07, Rating: 0
RE: Another Option...
By Crank the Planet on 1/31/2007 5:24:37 PM , Rating: 2
Well well well, there's a hole in the Borg.


RE: Another Option...
By MadAd on 1/31/2007 11:36:48 PM , Rating: 2
why doesnt anyone figure out what XP files are checked during the install process and make a small boot installer with them on so it can be installed first, then add the vista upgrade.

Shouldnt take more than an extra few mintutes then it would only take one instal of vista.

Or is there someting wrong with that approach? (assuming that you already owned the files on the xp disk).


RE: Another Option...
By xphile on 1/31/2007 3:44:52 AM , Rating: 2
This "Other option" is EXACTLY what Microsoft have enforced users to have to do! It isnt a time saver at all.

Ref:

http://www.dailytech.com/No+More+Clean+Installs+Us...

Users upgrading used to be able to format the drive, insert new operating system disc, install new OS, and then as proof that it really IS an upgrade, simply insert the old OS disc for a moment or two, swap back to the new OS disc, and carry on installing said new OS.

Microsoft have changed this for Vista so that you have to start with an old OS INSTALLED, which is just what you have done. They have made it so you can't "fast-track a new upgrade of Vista in the same old way with a clean hard disk, and ONE install from the new media.

So you are just repeating what they WANT you to do. Since Vista definitely installs faster than XP, then doing two Vista installs, however tedious, is certanly faster, and probably safer, than an XP followed by Vista install. So this news is a better option, but it's still a pain in the ass, especially when you are a paid, licensed, legit user of a valid upgradable operating system. Once again we all pay in our own valuable time (even forgetting the pricing) for Microsoft's paranoia.


RE: Another Option...
By vdig on 1/31/2007 8:53:43 AM , Rating: 2
If that is really an option, then I guess that the upgrade disk is cheaper, but this is offset by the time needed to install it twice in a row. For businesses, this will be unacceptable, and retail disks/licenses will be purchased instead.

Still, nice to know that this is allowed. If I get Vista for personal reasons down the road, I might just do this... maybe. Either that or OEM.


RE: Another Option...
By timmiser on 2/5/2007 12:57:29 PM , Rating: 2
Most business don't install OS's. They come equipped on the PC's they purchase.


RE: Another Option...
By JSK on 1/31/2007 12:49:52 PM , Rating: 2
Would it be possible for Microsoft to change such a feature on already produced media?

Could they somehow enforce a WGA check or something and prevent this in the future?

Or is it a permanent fix?

Buying a Retail Upgrade for the difference in prices vs a OEM Full could be worth not having the hassle of calling MS all the time for us hardware enthusiasts.


difference from buying an OEM version?
By bauernakke on 1/31/2007 7:57:23 AM , Rating: 2
Doesn't OEM versions cost the same as an upgrade version?

And aren't both OEM and Upgrade versions tied to the motherboard?

So really no reason to buy the upgrade version... THat would save the hassle of installing twice




By rockyct on 1/31/2007 8:18:58 AM , Rating: 2
Originally it didn't look like you could transfer an OEM license, but I guess you "can", it's just not in the EULA. I have seen OEM versions for much less than upgrade versions, but like I said above, the academic upgrade version is cheaper than everything.


RE: difference from buying an OEM version?
By dice1111 on 1/31/2007 10:00:32 AM , Rating: 2
You can tie the OS to any peice of hardware, including your mouse, from what i understand.


RE: difference from buying an OEM version?
By DaRkFib3r on 1/31/2007 3:55:34 PM , Rating: 2
From what i understand there is OEM for system builders like Dell, HP, Etc.
There is a Version that is OEM DSP which is for system builders, which should be as good as the Retail copy.

Since you can do pretty much a clean install with the Upgrade Retails Versions & if you getting ultimate get the retail upgrade since you get 32bit and 64bit.

Ah BTW why not just phone microsoft to activate you version of vista?? instead of doing it online when they will get all your details??


By misbfa1 on 2/2/2007 2:01:40 AM , Rating: 2
Ok, I have been paying a lot of attention to this whole thing, but I must have missed that the reatail version gives you both the 32 and 64 bit versions.

Where are you guys reading this?


Hmm...
By broly8877 on 1/31/2007 2:17:13 AM , Rating: 2
When you install the trial, there's an option to change the product key under system properties.

Is it possible to just enter your product key then activate, without having to install twice?




RE: Hmm...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 1/31/2007 2:19:16 AM , Rating: 2
Nope, won't work. You have to install it again.


RE: Hmm...
By Zelvek on 1/31/2007 2:21:05 AM , Rating: 2
I read on another forum that that wont work.


RE: Hmm...
By broly8877 on 1/31/2007 2:31:47 AM , Rating: 2
Well that sucks :/

I guess this is better than before, though.


Well that flippin seals it for me...
By KaiserCSS on 1/31/2007 4:19:05 AM , Rating: 2
I'm going out and buying Home Premium Upgrade ASAP, before Microsoft does something to close up this loophole. I must say though... that is one hell of a loophole. I wonder how they missed this; every version of Vista, upgrade or not, can now be clean-installed.




By Tuor on 1/31/2007 4:39:50 AM , Rating: 2
Serves them right for screwing us this way. You reap what you sow, Microsoft, and in this case, I don't feel the slightest bit sorry for any revenue you might lose once this exploit becomes more widely known. I fully intend to use it myself when I build my new system; and, yes, I *do* have a legit copy of XP Pro.


RE: Well that flippin seals it for me...
By VooDooAddict on 1/31/2007 10:51:40 AM , Rating: 2
Why? Just buy the OEM.

An OEM style clean install is what you are after. And unless you are getting a student version of Vista Upgrade, OEM is cheaper.


By jak3676 on 1/31/2007 8:57:57 PM , Rating: 2
OEM is a bit cheaper, but retail upgrade will allow you to switch to 32 or 64 bit. For my money I'll probably go upgrade as well. Hopefully in a year or so 64-bit drivers and software support will improve and I make the change. (last time I checked there wasn't a driver for my old photo printer yet)


Microsoft Internal documents...
By NickD on 1/31/2007 7:04:25 AM , Rating: 2
Hi everybody!
Could anyone please tell me where can I find on Microsoft knowledge base the "internal documents" explaining this funny workaround here discussed? Thanks in advance!




RE: Microsoft Internal documents...
By DaRkFib3r on 1/31/2007 4:05:30 PM , Rating: 2
I doubt it would be on the Microsoft website :(


RE: Microsoft Internal documents...
By NickD on 2/1/2007 2:08:47 AM , Rating: 2
And where on the earth do you think I can get these "internal documents" ? Please help me! I know they most likely are anywhere but in the MS Website, ok. But WHERE? T H A N K S


Workaround
By Myrkul23 on 1/31/2007 7:10:44 AM , Rating: 2
I'm thinking of finally getting the upgrade version now that you can do a clean install, but can MS disable this by requiring users with upgrade keys to enter their old WinXP keys during activation? If so, I'll hold off on Vista longer.




RE: Workaround
By PrinceGaz on 1/31/2007 8:20:13 AM , Rating: 2
MS can change anything they want about Vista product activation at any time, if they couldn't then it would have been permanently defeated the first time it was cracked.

Anyway, the possibility of having to enter your 25-character XP (or Windows 2000) key some time in the future is hardly a reason to avoid buying an Upgrade copy of Vista-- unless of course you don't have a valid key, in which case you should either buy the Full version, or download the WinBeta RTM and use a crack.


RE: Workaround
By DaRkFib3r on 1/31/2007 4:13:26 PM , Rating: 2
Pretty true :D after this new workaround i'm keen to get a retail copy of Vista rather than the OEM with either 32bit or 64bit with the retail i get both :D no extra costs


What about Windows Easy Transfer?
By stuberman on 1/31/2007 12:33:10 PM , Rating: 2
I bought the retail upgrade version (Home Premium) with the intent of performing a clean install onto a second hard drive so that I would lose all of the XP crap that accumulated over the years (as well as the OEM preloaded crap). But I want to retain my data (files, e-mail, Quicken data, iTunes files, etc) and thought I could also use Windows Easy Transfer to copy those files to the new disk.

If I do a clean install as described can I still perform a Windows Easy Transfer?

Since the upgrade seems to be a crap shoot - it is far more preferable to keep the original XP disk intact in case the new disk doesn't function. You would think that Microsoft would prefer this approach: clean install for greatest chance of OD success, move data, have customer reinstall applications as desired, preserve original load as insurance.





RE: What about Windows Easy Transfer?
By stuberman on 1/31/2007 1:22:25 PM , Rating: 2
"OD" should be 'OS"

And the second disk is an internal hard drive - I'd prefer not to need to set up a virtual machine or some such... Eventually I would junk the older drive and replace it with a very large drive for Media Center content.


By stuberman on 2/1/2007 1:15:48 PM , Rating: 2
FYI - Windows Easy Transfer worked like a charm.

After the clean install onto a secondary internal drive - I get a Windows Boot Manager screen to choose between Vista and XP and I am able to boot to either and transfer files between disks.


By Molten on 1/31/2007 5:32:01 PM , Rating: 2
Hello people! Time to get hep to a new reality, behold:
[quote]
MICRO$OFT LICENSE TERMS

WINDOWS VISTA HOME BASIC
WINDOWS VISTA HOME PREMIUM
WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE

8. SCOPE OF LICENSE. The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights.
[/quote]

Thus, no one is 'buying' Vista per se, we're all lessees now....
How do ya like them apples! Huh!?!




By nottingham on 2/1/2007 9:44:13 AM , Rating: 2
That isn't new. That has always been the case with Windows...and most other computer software. Even movies that you "buy" on DVD may have the same sort of license. You are licensed to use it...you don't own it. On some, they specifically tell you that your license can be revoked at any time for any reason, and the owner can stipulate the licensed materials must be returned to the owner on demand. It's pretty much standard licensing.


By TheDoc9 on 2/1/2007 6:15:55 PM , Rating: 2
I wonder if we could get a full refund if we don't like the the os or movie....


Vista Upgrade
By brownstonemr on 2/1/2007 4:08:01 PM , Rating: 2
So for someone who wants to format their computer they would have to.

-Format
-Install XP
-Install Vista Trial
-Clean Install Vista

Is that correct?? If so thats a lot of installing.




RE: Vista Upgrade
By Shawn on 2/1/2007 10:49:44 PM , Rating: 2
More like

-Clean Install of Vista w/o a Product Key
-Upgrade Install of Vista w/ Upgrade Product Key


RE: Vista Upgrade
By brownstonemr on 2/1/2007 11:09:18 PM , Rating: 2
So you can format the drive first with the Vista Upgrade and then install the trial (without the key) directly after?


Loophole
By Alexstarfire on 1/31/07, Rating: 0
RE: Loophole
By Lifted on 1/31/2007 11:34:02 AM , Rating: 2
Because gamers and their illegal installs of XP/Vista keep Microsoft in business? Get a clue.


RE: Loophole
By Pirks on 1/31/07, Rating: -1
RE: Loophole
By PrinceGaz on 1/31/2007 7:58:36 PM , Rating: 2
Which is presumably why Microsoft is actively promoting the "Games for Windows" initiative and intends it to bring PC gaming back to the forefront, so long as the Windows machines in question are running Vista of course.

I don't know where you've been for the last few months, but whilst I'd agree that PC gaming looked a bit stale this time last year, thanks to MS now pushing the PC as a major gaming platform that should be supported alongside their own XB360 console, the future of PC gaming looks better now than it has any time since the late 90's. Okay so a lot of the console games that are also released on the PC will be straight ports, but that's not a problem in itself so long as the console version was good in the first place (a PC gamer already having a good PC gamepad goes without saying).

As for current games playing slower in Vista than XP, anyone can tell you that is due entirely to immature graphics-card drivers (remember Vista has a totally new driver model). Eventually, when Vista's drivers are optimised to the same level as XP's are (which may take as long as a year), new games designed to run efficiently under XP and Vista are likely to be faster under Vista than XP because of Vista's more efficient DirectX API and support for multi-threaded drivers.

Go check out Microsoft's Games for Windows website yourself and get a clue, because your post only made you look foolish.


RE: Loophole
By Endo on 2/1/2007 12:40:57 PM , Rating: 2
>Okay so a lot of the console games that are also released on the PC will be straight ports, but that's not a problem in itself so long as the console version was good in the first place (a PC gamer already having a good PC gamepad goes without saying).<

Actually it's quite rare that a console port is much good on a PC regardless of how good it was on the console, "good gamepad" not withstanding. Case in point, Halo "made" the XBox, but when it was released for PC it failed miserably. And more recently, Rainbow6 Vegas also isn't nearly as good on PC as it is on the PS3, despite PC's being a better overall platform for FPSs. I can't think of even one best-seller console game that was also a best-seller as a PC port.

Also you would do well to remember that many people are as well-informed as yourself, and acting like an arrogant asswipe toward the one poor soul that is less informed doesn't make you look like anyone special.


Flash Drive?
By EnderJ on 1/31/2007 8:06:07 AM , Rating: 2
I haven't touched Vista yet, so I am most likely wrong on this. However with XP I was always able to install it to a separate Partition of my hard drive.

So I'm just wondering if it'd be possible to get around this by having a copy of XP installed on a flash drive and then install Vista to your real hard drive?




RE: Flash Drive?
By Zark74 on 1/31/2007 10:04:37 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, even you can use windows p to load windows using CD rom and install Vista.


Vista Without the Second Install!!
By DaRkFib3r on 1/31/2007 3:51:29 PM , Rating: 2
Shouldn't you be able to just activate Vista with a valid key??? without installing it again?? i remember from using the MSDN version while installing it as a Trial for 30 days, when i clicked on activate it would ask me for a valid key!!! which i entered and it was activated.

I dont see why it wouldnt work with just one install of Vista Upgrade.




By DaRkFib3r on 1/31/2007 4:00:23 PM , Rating: 2
NM missed the previous activation post!! soz


Activation Key does not work with this method
By stuberman on 2/1/2007 11:18:58 AM , Rating: 2
I just tried this 'clean install' process - which worked just fine. But when I try to use my retail Home Premium upgrade activation key it gets rejected. It states that I am not allowed to use and and must either upgrade an OS or buy a different version.




By stuberman on 2/1/2007 12:55:33 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry - my bad...

The activation did work after the second install. It does not work before the 2nd (reinstallation). Thanks for the great tip!


By dijuremo on 2/1/2007 11:33:20 AM , Rating: 2
Does anyone knows what happens to the corporate keys used to upgrade from XP to Vista? Hopefully MS thought about not invalidating corporate XP keys upong a Vista upgrade. But if they did not think about this, they will certainly get lots of fuming customers.... LOL




By Flunk on 2/1/2007 1:13:30 PM , Rating: 2
Please look up the definition of "customer" a customer is someone who buys your products, not someone who installs illegally-obtained versions of your software on their system.

Corporate keys are for use in fully-licensed corporate settings only. And any business large enough to have licensed XP corporate would be installing Vista corporate so they are not going to run into issues caused by installing the retail version of Vista upgrade on a corporate-licensed XP.


What a Gimmic!!!!
By slider169 on 2/1/2007 2:31:55 PM , Rating: 2
Now people will rush out to buy the upgrade before they fix in the next production.




RE: What a Gimmic!!!!
By Jedi2155 on 2/7/2007 5:25:41 AM , Rating: 2
Does this work with Vista "Anytime Upgrade"?
By dcuccia1 on 2/8/2007 5:14:29 PM , Rating: 2
Does anyone know if this works with the Vista "Anytime Upgrade" + Install disk? I have a work copy of Business that I would like to upgrade to Ultimate (w/ a clean install).




By RichTJ99 on 2/8/2007 7:58:30 PM , Rating: 2
Someone had a good point about XP being installed on a flash drive. Could the upgrade be done with Vista seeing a USB installed XP? Or would Vista try to upgrade to the same USB drive instead of the C drive?


Wow
By fanbanlo on 1/31/2007 3:59:28 AM , Rating: 2
wow, so doesn't even need the old XP key?




Thats fast
By crystal clear on 1/31/2007 7:17:39 AM , Rating: 2
Daily Tech - GREAT-For such a rapid response.

Shoot out some more..............




Isn't this technically illegal?
By Homerboy on 1/31/2007 9:33:19 AM , Rating: 2
yet DT posts a how-to?
If you license and "upgrade" version than that is what it is and I'd guess clearly states that in the AUP.




It just goes to show...
By jskirwin on 1/31/2007 9:36:01 AM , Rating: 2
That millions of man-hours and hundreds of a billion? two billion? dollars in cash won't make a piece of software that isn't bulletproof.

I don't think Microsoft intended to produce an upgrade that can install the same way as a full version. Or maybe they did.




Vista Ultimate
By TheDoc9 on 1/31/2007 11:27:51 AM , Rating: 2
Has anyone confirmed if you can use an old win2k or xp cd and get a fresh install with a vista ultimate dvd?




Not Surprised.
By VooDooAddict on 1/31/2007 12:25:29 PM , Rating: 2
I'm not surprised this "loop hole" made it through at all.

In software QA ... you see so many good ideas and fixes shot down in the "interest of time/shipping" or due to a single manager's misunderstanding of the problem. If a single lead or manager determines that something is good enough... it doesn't matter how many other people think there needs to be a solution.

In the managers' defense, they are many times overloaded with doing so many reports for upper-management... they don't have time to really "manage" their direct reports or make fully informed decisions. Too often their job depends more on how accurately statistics are reported to upper management, then on the quality of the decisions they make.

I just hope that the people managing securing upgrades aren't the same people managing kernel security :)


[b]and DT ... I'M REALLY REALLY SICK OF THE "Ooooops somthing went wrong" bug!!! IF YOU WEREN'T CONNECTED WITH ANAND I WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP LONG AGO.[/b] - damn right that's caps.




OEM vs other versions
By WillyPud on 1/31/2007 1:44:08 PM , Rating: 2
In terms of any difference between OEM and regular/retail versions, there is NO difference in software. It is a complete full version. It is not tied to any part of a computer or manufacturer. MS does make different installers tho. Upgraders check for prev versions, OEM make sure there is no other version type of thing.
There is guaranteed to be differences in the EULA that LIMIT who, how, when, why type of thing.
I worked in a computer retail store for over five years so I've run into this many many times. Many manufacturers offer OEM software/hardware bundling. Nero, Logitech, WinDVD, McAfee, etc. as that is where the real sales are. Almost nobody goes and buys Vista at retail. It comes pre-loaded on their new systems.




By xstylus on 1/31/2007 4:23:22 PM , Rating: 2
Is it possible to do steps 1 through 3, and then attempt to insert the product key post-install?

I googled for info on how to change a product key in Vista, and this is what I turned up:
----------
1. Go to "Activate Windows online now" --> (this will try to activate with whatever key you already installed [in this case, none])

2. Select "Buy a new product key online" --> (self-explanatory)

3. Select "Retype your product key" --> (this is the same as "Change product key" and will give you the opportunity to enter a new key if you want to activate with a key that's not yet installed)

----------

Someone give this a try and see if it works. This will save a lot of time for a great many techs when they need to do reinstalls of this abomination of an OS for their customers.




i was
By medavid16 on 1/31/2007 6:13:55 PM , Rating: 2
i was SHOWN that the RTM Ultimate are still working (i was shown, not just told)... if people are willing to do this workaround, why not just use the leaked RTM months ago?




Re: Academic EULA/License
By nottingham on 2/1/2007 9:30:45 AM , Rating: 2
Those who have made the comments about getting a discounted price via a school store, academic distribution, etc should look at their EULA. If it's like prior Windows 'student' EULAs it will say something along the lines that once you leave the academic environment (e.g. graduate) your license is no longver valid and you have to buy a new license at the regular higher cost. Same may hold true for educational professionals.




Just a thought
By ViperROhb34 on 2/1/2007 10:57:03 AM , Rating: 2
Just my observation on the matter.

They would almost have had to have a work around ( and now you see they do ) Because if you buy upgrade and your hardrive crashes you need to do a clean install on a new hardrive or the backlash would be crazy. Many people lose previous versions of Windows, scratch them.. etc.. I might still have some of my old ones.. somewhere.




how about 2 for the price of 1?
By xpnewbie on 2/1/2007 7:35:00 PM , Rating: 2
all these comments, but I haven't heard the case for buying oem xp vers. with free upgrade to vista. It seems that if the workaround works, then couldn't one load oem xp, apply for and receive free vista upgrade, but load it onto a different box than the xp?




Beware of the limitations
By MrUniq on 2/2/2007 2:05:24 PM , Rating: 2
I have personnally tried this and MS support does not have the tools to generate new upgrade keys when you do decide change your hardware. There are going to be alot of screwed over customers b/c of that. I just went out and swapeed my upgrade for the full retail to not have to deal with that anymore. The funny thing is that I now own two keys because of that situation. I suggest ONLY going OEM or Retail. Any other option (unless it's free) will be regretful.




Upgrading?
By techtweaker on 2/6/2007 12:59:55 PM , Rating: 2
Is it possible to upgrade Windows XP pro to the home premium version of vista or do I have to purchase the ultimate version?




"hard are all to complete"
By Tyler 86 on 1/31/07, Rating: -1
RE: "hard are all to complete"
By DOSGuy on 1/31/2007 6:08:09 AM , Rating: 4
"Damn spell checking and it's ignorance"

"Damn spell checking and its ignorance"

You can remember that rule with this simple song by Strong Bad:

Oh, if you want it to be possessive, it's just "i-t-s", and if you want it to be a contraction, then it's "i-t apostrophe s". Scalawag.


a
By leexgx on 1/31/07, Rating: -1
"Game reviewers fought each other to write the most glowing coverage possible for the powerhouse Sony, MS systems. Reviewers flipped coins to see who would review the Nintendo Wii. The losers got stuck with the job." -- Andy Marken

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