There is a workaround, though, and this is completely legit with Microsoft’s own DVDs. You can install Vista clean with the upgrade DVD, so long as you don’t enter a CD key. Then you can “upgrade” from Vista to Vista (I know), with the CD key.

What if Vista is running but you want to redo your Upgrade installation as a Clean Install. Can you put your Vista Upgrade DVD in and go through a clean install?

What DailyTech is reporting and what I mentioned is that in the event you have a hosed installation of VIsta, meaning that like XP something corrupts and the OS won’t run, then they report you have to install XP to survive the upgrade check and then Vista. I haven’t seen any proof that that is not the case. I realize you can do a clean install and I hope DailyTech is in fact wrong, I can’t believe MS would leave users in this situation.

oops – last sentence I meant “posting” not “posing”. There’s MY correction!

Respectfully JK, you’re confusing a license upgrade with an upgrade installation procedure. DailyTech’s source is a Microsoft KB article, which clearly states that you can perform a “clean install” of Vista as long as you start the installation setup program from within a working version of Win XP/2000. (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/930985/en-us)

DailyTech’s article may be misleading, but you’re repeating ideas and implications (i.e. that Upgrade purchasers will be stuck with the “legacy junk”) that are patently false. I really like that your site points out ignorance and errors in mainstream UMPC coverage; I suggest setting an example by posing a correction.

I was worried until I saw full version of 64bit Vista Ultimate OEM for $199 @ Newegg. That’s cheap enough for me.

The info that Microsoft gave the store I work at (Office Depot) says the same. There are some versions of Windows that will require a clean install but you can still use an upgrade disk. Every version is able to have a clean install with an upgrade disk, but it will check for a qualified previous version of Windows.

Jayson, you’re right and I hope it stays that way.

Windows Ultimate Upgrade:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Vista-Ultimate-UPGRADE/dp/B000HCTYTO/sr=1-2/qid=1169999304/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-8934613-8497568?ie=UTF8&s=software

Windows Home Premium Upgrade:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Vista-Premium-UPGRADE/dp/B000HCZ9BG/sr=1-2/qid=1170027836/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/103-1330019-4986231?ie=UTF8&s=software

Both say:

You can upgrade in-place, which means you can install Windows Vista and retain your applications, files, and settings as they were in your previous edition of Windows or you can do a clean install. If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required. For versions of Windows earlier than Windows 2000, upgrade copies are not available. These earlier versions of Windows require you to install a full copy of Windows Vista.

Dave, read the fine print, it should spell it out.

I wonder what HP is going to send me? I bought my MCE PC in October knowing I would get a copy of Vista in February. Will it be an upgrade CD or full copy? I was planning to blowing everything away and doing a clean install (some DVICO drivers killed this system and result in freezes-of-death every other day or so).