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(933176) - Describes an issue in which you cannot use an upgrade key to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista by starting from a Windows Vista DVD. Provides a resolution.

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Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks
Article ID: 933176 - Last Review: August 15, 2007 - Revision: 2.4

You cannot use an upgrade key to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista from the Windows Vista DVD

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This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.
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Symptoms of the problem

Consider the following scenario. You purchase an upgrade license and an upgrade key for Windows Vista. You start the computer from the Windows Vista DVD, and then you try to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista by using the upgrade key that you purchased. In this scenario, you are prevented from continuing the installation of Windows Vista.

Note In a clean installation, you completely delete the hard disk of the computer that you are upgrading. You do not install Windows Vista directly over the previous operating system.
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Methods to resolve the problem

Method 1: Run the Setup program after you use the current operating system to start the computer

When you start the computer from the Windows Vista DVD, the Setup program does not perform a check for versions of Microsoft Windows that can be upgraded to Windows Vista. To upgrade an earlier version of Windows to Windows Vista, you must use the currently installed Windows operating system to start the computer. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Use the computer's currently installed operating system to start the computer. Verify that this currently installed operating system can be upgraded to Windows Vista. To view a list of Windows operating systems that can be upgraded to Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web site
    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx)
  2. Insert the Windows Vista DVD into the computer's DVD drive.
  3. Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate:
    • If Windows automatically detects the DVD, the Install now screen appears. Click Install now.
    • If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:
      1. Click Start, click Run, type drive:\setup.exe , and then click OK.

        Note The drive placeholder represents the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive.
      2. Click Install now.
  4. When you reach the Which type of installation to you want? screen, click Upgrade to upgrade the currently installed operating system to Windows Vista.
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Method 2: Use a Full Product License version of Windows Vista

If the currently installed version of Windows cannot be upgraded to Windows Vista, you must purchase a Full Product License for Windows Vista. This license will let you continue the installation after you start from the Windows Vista DVD.

To purchase a Full Product License, visit the following Microsoft Marketplace Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/addlicense/default.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/addlicense/default.mspx)
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References to similar topics

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
930985  (http://kbalertz.com/Feedback.aspx?kbNumber=930985/ ) Upgrade installation keys are blocked when you start from the Windows Vista DVD
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
932616  (http://kbalertz.com/Feedback.aspx?kbNumber=932616/ ) Installation choices for consumer versions of Windows Vista (32-bit only)
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APPLIES TO
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Starter
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
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Keywords: 
kbsetup kbinstallation kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbprb kbceip KB933176
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