Windows 8 Upgrade: clean install possible?

Theo

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I have a preference to perform a clean installation, on my active partition; specifically, after deleting the original partitions, containing Windows 7 and the Reserve partition!

This option is available, I believe, by selecting the Advance option, and then choosing the delete both of these partitions!

However, I have come across Blogs, which imply this is only viable, if you have the FULL, rather than the UPGRADE version of Windows 8 Pro.

The Upgrade versions needs to see a previous version of Windows; otherwise the installed Windows 8 will not activate; see link below!

Windows 8 upgrade clean install - activation blocked - PC & Mac Hardware and Software - Digital Spy Forums


There is another article which discusses this subject, on this link:-

Windows 8 Upgrade: clean install possible?

Again, Windows 8 would not activate!


Is this a one off incident, or is there some truth in this
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Chillblast.com
    CPU
    Intel i7 2600K Processor (3.4 GHz - no over-clocking)
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    ASUS P8Z68-V LE
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    16GB Corsair PC3-12800 1600MHz DDR3 Memory (4x4 GB sticks
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Is this a one off incident, or is there some truth in this
Yes, this true.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
There is another article which discusses this subject, on this link:-

Windows 8 Upgrade: clean install possible?

Again, Windows 8 would not activate!


Is this a one off incident, or is there some truth in this

It has been the same since Vista, you can do a clean install using the upgrade disks

If the installation detects the presence of a qualifying OS then the upgrade will activate this is what should happen if you boot from the upgrade and blow away the partition that contains a windows xp/vista/7 installation

If the installation fails to detect a qualifying OS, which might happen if you were to install the upgrade on a new HDD or SSD, that is when the activation error occurs

There are two methods to work around this error - the registry hack and the double install

As long as you have a qualifying OS then MS are not going to care if you use one of these methods to install windows8 instead of installing windows Xp/vista/7 onto your system first and then the upgrade as you are going to end up in the same place
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows8
I used the upgrade media to do a clean install. the best way to install an OS and not have to deal with strange conflict errors that manifest in countless strange ways.

when you go to install the OS, choose the option to format the drive. then install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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