Vista Upgrade DVD - Clean Install Workaround

["Mark McCall" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5932

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 Vist

M.