A workaround for Clean Install of Vista with an Upgrade DVD

[twilleyj]

A workaround for Clean Install of Vista with an Upgrade DVD

Source: DailyTech.com

t seems that there has been a loophole discovered which enables you to do a complete Clean Install using the Upgrade only DVD without even needing to have Windows XP on your machine...

Not that I condone such activities, since I guess it is against the License Agreement you agree to when installing Vista, but for the sake of education you may see below how it's done. The main thing is that Vista Update DVD in order to work with your product key has to detect a valid OS on your computer before the install. If you install Vista in 30 day trial mode as a clean install without providing the product key, and then run an update of this Trial version from the DVD - everything will seem legitimate. You'll have to install Vista twice, but that's about it.

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.