Win 7 - Difference Between Full Installation Disk And Upgrade Disk

[torrenova]

I am confused between full installation disks and upgrade disks for Win 7.

I have the opportunity to buy a Win 7 upgrade from here - http://www.software4students.co.uk/Microso...on-details.aspx but I am seriously confused.

Someone told me the following:

1. install as clean, but do not enter serial number 2. reinstall over the top, but this time "upgrade" the original unregistered version 3. enter serial number this time and it will activate, as it sees it as an upgrade.

Is this correct ?

One PC has no OS on it so I cannot upgrade whereas one PC has Vista on it. Also, I hear that they put 32 bit and 64 bit on the same DVD, is that correct ? or only sometimes correct ?

Don't really want to waste money.

Thanks

[garyh]

I believe windows 7 can upgrade like that, I certainly could with vista, just do install of the version you want with no serial number, just finish the install and don't do anything else with it. Then start install again and select upgrade, this time put in serial number etc.

[RedCardinal]

You can indeed use the upgrade disk for a clean install - there are a number of supported workarounds. Try googling for the solution.

I'm pretty sure the version for sale there is the 32bit only. The 64 bit comes on a separate disk AFAIK (does for retail version I believe).

[garyh]

If you have a product key it will work on either 32 or 64 bit you just need the 32/64 bit disk to do the install.

[TigertheCat]

I would advise doing a clean install to Win 7 as various internet forums state that an upgrade is more prone to problems as the new OS is a bit different from Vista.I always do a fresh install after backing up my data and ensuring all my programs are to hand for re-installation.On a PC with more than 4Gb of memory then install the 64 bit version,you can install on a PC with less than 4 Gb of course,although if you are not running any programs written for 64 bit then you may as well install the 32 bit version.I run 64 bit on my relatively high end desktop (8Gb DDR3 RAM)for Photoshop and HD video editing which can take advantage of the increased memory,and 32 bit on my notebook as I cannot install more than 4 Gb anyway.

I hope this helps

[garyh]

I would have thought a upgrade of a basic clean install would be the same as clean. I did this with Vista ultimate 64 and it never missed a beat.