I have a couple of what could be silly questions about the Windows 7 Family Pack which I've not been able to find answers for and was hoping someone could help I know that its 1 licence which entitles you to install on 3 computers (as opposed to 3 licences), the desctiption on Amazon says 'upgrade' so what I want to know is 1. is it an OEM version or Retail version (no reinstalls versus 10 reinstalls with Vista Retail) 2. can I still do a clean install as long as I have an origional Vista disc (would prefer clean install rather than upgrade existing OS) TIA
Windows 7 Family pack are Home Premium RETAIL license. OEM license allows you unlimited re-installs but it must be on the same system. If you change system (aka motherboard), activation will fail. Unless the motherboard/system was changed due that the old one was broken and no exact replacement could be found (following the Windows license agreement), you can call Microsoft to receive a special number to make it active again. Else, a new Windows 7 license will need to be purchased. In other words, Windows 7 can't be transferred between different system. RETAIL, has a unlimited number of re-install, but you have a limited number of re-install per 3-months - if I remember correctly- if you pass this limit, no problem just call Microsoft to receive a special number to make it activate it again. You can call Microsoft as many times as you want, like the OEM license, the call is toll-free. We don't know for sure all the details until Win7 is released... but following the information provided by Microsoft: - If you pass from Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bi, the setup will do a clean install (called Custom install) - If you DOWNGRADE an edition when you pass from Vista to Windows 7 (ie: let's say you have Vista Ultimate and you want to pass down to Win7 Professional or Home Premium),the setup will do a clean install (called Custom install) - If you pass from Windows 2000 or XP to Windows 7, a clean install will be performed. No one knows for sure what happens when you don't have a previous Windows installed (ie: you got a new HDD), will the Win7 setup ask for the previous windows disk and or product key and perform a clean install? Or you must install your previous version of Windows first and then upgrade? The answers to these questions are unknown for the moment. If you really want a clean install, and have a retail version of Vista. Install teh 32-bit version instead and right-after upgrade it to WIndows 7 64-bit. Please note that RETAIL boxes of Windows 7 features both 32 and 64-bit disks in the box. No special order required to get either disks, like in Vista (except for Ultimate edition).
