Shootout: Upgrade vs. Clean Installation Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Shootout: Upgrade vs. Clean Installation in the Windows Vista forums; Boy oh boy, what a mess. In my case I wan't to save some stuff from my (licensed!) XP files so that I can take them to Vista after ...

[jerrybasham]

Boy oh boy, what a mess. In my case I wan't to save some
stuff from my (licensed!) XP files so that I can take them to
Vista after a clean install, but my Vista install, upgrade over
the old XP, won't give me access to my own files.. how the
hell did that happen in all this?

Anyway, I may have to sacrifice those files, documents,
photos, etc, and just do the clean install on a formatted
hard drive.

-- Jerry

[Znod]

Make sure that you have all permissions related to the files. Also, I would take ownership of them. I don't have time to give detailed instructions right now, but you should be able to do what every you want with your files with a little effort. Is everything else working properly as far as you can tell?

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by jerrybasham

Anyway, I may have to sacrifice those files, documents, photos, etc, and just do the clean install on a formatted
hard drive. -- Jerry

Jerry, had you try to run your Vista as the administrator? It might help.

Right click Computer > Manage > Local Users and Groups > Users > Administrator > place check mark on Account is disabled > Press Apply and OK to exit.

Log off Vista and then log in as Administrator

[Snuffy]

Boy oh boy, what a mess. In my case I wan't to save some
stuff from my (licensed!) XP files so that I can take them to
Vista after a clean install, but my Vista install, upgrade over
the old XP, won't give me access to my own files.. how the
hell did that happen in all this?

Anyway, I may have to sacrifice those files, documents,
photos, etc, and just do the clean install on a formatted
hard drive.

I upgraded my XP (Home) Laptop to Vista Home Premium, and except for the programs which Vista checked and stated would not work, I have 100% access to all files, etc etc which I had under XP. (PS: I did a add/remove on all noted.)
1. I booted to XP, inserted the Vista DVD and followed the simple to use upgrade instructions. Since XP was Fat32 I had to convert to NTFS.
start -> run -> "convert c: /FS:NTFS"
2. Ran RegCleaner, DiskCleaner, and Defraged.
3. Inserted the DVD and clicked Install, entered the "KEY" when ask, and 1 hr
16 min 47 Sec later was full Vista Home Premium..I (DO HAVE FULL ACCESS TO ALL FILES - FOLDERS - ETC, ETC)

[Snuffy]

http://www.instantvista.com/windows-vista-upgrade.html

Here is how with pictures and "custom Install" also..
it gives 100% how to with info by Marc Liron - Microsoft MVP http://www.instantvista.com/

Indeed, the upgrade editions are full versions, simply waiting to be told to install themselves regardless of what OS is currently on the system, if any. The trick is all in how you interact with the setup program.

Microsoft MVP Marc Liron was kind enough to explain the procedure in this recent article, and we merely set about duplicating his results. Which we did, with an upgrade version of Vista Home Premium, Liron's instructions worked like a charm.

[felix8406]

Good find Snuffy. Like the article implies, it's not illegal if it's built into the OS to begin with.

[Znod]

Hmmm??? Well, the author says:

"Is This Windows Vista Upgrade Secret Legal? Probably not....
I am no legal expert but I am guessing this will violate some part of the Windows Vista EULA (End User Licence Agreement.)"

I actually do not think that the clean install work around is illegal or in violation of the EULA--even though I have referred to it as illegal and as a EULA breaker previously. However, it becomes illegal/in voilation of the Vista EULA if one every uses the software again. I see no reason to use the procedure unless one is intending to violate the EULA; thus, recommend against using it. Below is a snip from the Vista EULA.

[crabby]

I am sure I have said before...

It isn't illegal to USE the method to install vista.

It is completely illegal to use an upgrade version of Vista without a legitimate copy of an upgradable operating system which you do not use.

Cant be much simpler than that!

crabby

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by crabby

I am sure I have said before...

It isn't illegal to USE the method to install vista.

It is completely illegal to use an upgrade version of Vista without a legitimate copy of an upgradable operating system which you do not use.

Cant be much simpler than that!

crabby

And to add to your post; it's a hell of a lot cheaper to.

[Znod]

Originally Posted by crabby

I am sure I have said before...

It isn't illegal to USE the method to install vista.

It is completely illegal to use an upgrade version of Vista without a legitimate copy of an upgradable operating system which you do not use.

Cant be much simpler than that!

crabby

I agree; that's what I said, right?