Only way to put Windows 7 or 8 on this HP Laptop?

[tteksystems]

I am working on an HP Laptop that has Windows Vista 64 Bit on Drive C and a recovery partition which is Drive D

I wanted to format this drive into 1 partition and install a new OS. In the BIOS, it lists the system has Windows Vista. Does this mean I am bound to using Vista on this laptop?

I searched and saw many people were installing Windows 7 or 8 on the same hp laptop I am working with. But they upgraded from Vista. They had to keep the original OEM key for Vista. If they want to do a fresh install, they have to use the same exact version of Vista that matches the OEM key and then do a Windows 7 upgrade.

My Question: Is this the only way I could put Windows 7 or 8 on this HP Laptop? or ... ...

Can I clean the hard drive, make one partition, use a full version install of Windows 7 or 8 with a brand new appropriate key? Because I bought Windows 7 Ultimate on DVD retail, and it's still sealed. And, I also have the Windows 8.1 ISO with a legal key purchased from Microsoft and I have not used it yet. Am I good with either of these options?

 

[popeye]

You just clean install either 7 or 8. There is no upgrade path from Vista as far as I know.

Also,you need to make sure the hardware is compatible, especially with 8.

 

[alphanumeric]

If you boot from your install media and do a custom install, you'll have the option to delete any and all partitions and create new ones. The BIOS listing the installed OS as Vista does not mean its locked to Vista. I would run the upgrade advisor for which ever OS you decide to install before actually installing it. If there are going to be hardware issues the upgrade advisor should tell you before hand.
Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Official Microsoft Download Center
Upgrade Assistant: FAQ - Windows Help

 

[Mark Phelps]

Actually, unless MS has disabled it, there IS an upgrade to Win7 from Vista: Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 - Windows Help