Windows 7 Clean Install [Upgrade DVD] Bootcamp?

[MrAnon]

I have a copy of Vista, and I also have an Upgrade Edition of Windows 7 Ultimate.

It would be a pity to waste the Vista license just so I can use Windows 7 in Bootcamp, and I want to avoid it if necessary.

I have a previous copy of Windows, so this isn't against the forum rules is it? If it is, mods then close this thread!

I've heard of clean installs with the upgrade disc and modifying the registry key OOBEInstall, but how would I go about doing this through Bootcamp?

Apparently another method involves not entering a product key, and then installing Windows on top of itself again with a product key, then it upgrades from itself? Is this possible in Bootcamp?

Previously all you had to do was insert the old OS disc and the upgrade disc would work!

PS: My MacBook Pro Early 2011 with Lion & Bootcamp 4.0 doesn't support Vista, so I can't put that on anyway!

[Quad5Ny]

1. Download Official Windows 7 SP1 x64 ISO (This way you don't have to waste half an hour upgrading to SP1 after the install)
2. Burn ISO to DVD or Make Thumb Drive
3. Run Boot Camp Assistant
4. Install Windows 7
5. Go through the Windows 7 User setup wizard and click "Skip" on the Product Key entry dialog
6. In the Start Menu search box type "regedit.exe" and press Enter
7. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/"
8. Double click "MediaBootInstall" and change it from "1" to "0"
9. Close Regedit
10. In the Start Menu search box type "cmd" then Right click on the result and choose "Run as administrator"
11. In the now open Command Prompt type "slmgr /rearm" (and wait for it to finish)
12. Restart
13. In the Start Menu search box type "activate" and press Enter
14. Follow the wizard and enter your Product Key to activate
15. Install Boot Camp Driver Package
16. Run Apple Software Update until there are no updates left
17. Run Windows Update until there are no updates left
18. Run Disk Defragmenter Once (skip this step if you have a SSD)
19. Restart

.

[MrAnon]

OK, thanks for that Quad5Ny!

Sounds great - I'll have a go later!

[MrAnon]

Originally Posted by Quad5Ny

1. Download Official Windows 7 SP1 x64 ISO (This way you don't have to waste half an hour upgrading to SP1 after the install)
2. Burn ISO to DVD or Make Thumb Drive
3. Run Boot Camp Assistant
4. Install Windows 7
5. Go through the Windows 7 User setup wizard and click "Skip" on the Product Key entry dialog
6. In the Start Menu search box type "regedit.exe" and press Enter
7. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/"
8. Double click "MediaBootInstall" and change it from "1" to "0"
9. Close Regedit
10. In the Start Menu search box type "cmd" then Right click on the result and choose "Run as administrator"
11. In the now open Command Prompt type "slmgr /rearm" (and wait for it to finish)
12. Restart
13. In the Start Menu search box type "activate" and press Enter
14. Follow the wizard and enter your Product Key to activate
15. Install Boot Camp Driver Package
16. Run Apple Software Update until there are no updates left
17. Run Windows Update until there are no updates left
18. Run Disk Defragmenter Once (skip this step if you have a SSD)
19. Restart

.

Works like a charm - activated perfectly!

Cheers Quad5Ny!!!

[jlrathke]

This is my question exactly, except I have an original copy of XP that isn't used anymore and an upgrade of Win7 Ultimate that is no longer used. I didn't want to install xp (old, no service packs) then upgrade. I'm downloading the file from DR right now...hope it works.

Jerry

[jlrathke]

This worked perfectly for me as well. Simple, yet effective. How about making it a sticky?

Jerry

[B0untyHunterSC]

I have no internet when trying to put in activation key

[Quad5Ny]

Install the boot camp driver package and restart first (after step 12). That way your network adapters are working.

Or you can activate over the phone.

[makonl]

Originally Posted by Quad5Ny

1. Download Official Windows 7 SP1 x64 ISO (This way you don't have to waste half an hour upgrading to SP1 after the install)
2. Burn ISO to DVD or Make Thumb Drive
3. Run Boot Camp Assistant
4. Install Windows 7
5. Go through the Windows 7 User setup wizard and click "Skip" on the Product Key entry dialog
6. In the Start Menu search box type "regedit.exe" and press Enter
7. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/"
8. Double click "MediaBootInstall" and change it from "1" to "0"
9. Close Regedit
10. In the Start Menu search box type "cmd" then Right click on the result and choose "Run as administrator"
11. In the now open Command Prompt type "slmgr /rearm" (and wait for it to finish)
12. Restart
13. In the Start Menu search box type "activate" and press Enter
14. Follow the wizard and enter your Product Key to activate
15. Install Boot Camp Driver Package
16. Run Apple Software Update until there are no updates left
17. Run Windows Update until there are no updates left
18. Run Disk Defragmenter Once (skip this step if you have a SSD)
19. Restart

.

That is one elegant solution!
Thanks for bringing a frustrating few hours to a successful conclusion.

[eo19]

Originally Posted by Quad5Ny

1. Download Official Windows 7 SP1 x64 ISO (This way you don't have to waste half an hour upgrading to SP1 after the install)
2. Burn ISO to DVD or Make Thumb Drive
3. Run Boot Camp Assistant
4. Install Windows 7
5. Go through the Windows 7 User setup wizard and click "Skip" on the Product Key entry dialog
6. In the Start Menu search box type "regedit.exe" and press Enter
7. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/"
8. Double click "MediaBootInstall" and change it from "1" to "0"
9. Close Regedit
10. In the Start Menu search box type "cmd" then Right click on the result and choose "Run as administrator"
11. In the now open Command Prompt type "slmgr /rearm" (and wait for it to finish)
12. Restart
13. In the Start Menu search box type "activate" and press Enter
14. Follow the wizard and enter your Product Key to activate
15. Install Boot Camp Driver Package
16. Run Apple Software Update until there are no updates left
17. Run Windows Update until there are no updates left
18. Run Disk Defragmenter Once (skip this step if you have a SSD)
19. Restart

.

Where do I run the Apple software update, #16?

I believe I need to run the disk defragmenter per number 18. I just bought an iMac.

[blevins321]

Originally Posted by eo19

Where do I run the Apple software update, #16?

I believe I need to run the disk defragmenter per number 18. I just bought an iMac.

Should be in the Programs menu in the start menu after you install and restart. And yes, run the defragmenter because you probably have a regular hard drive. Try downloading Auslogics. It's a freeware disk defragmenter that I've had slightly better luck with compared to the built-in one.

[-tWv-]

Originally Posted by Quad5Ny

1. Download Official Windows 7 SP1 x64 ISO (This way you don't have to waste half an hour upgrading to SP1 after the install)
2. Burn ISO to DVD or Make Thumb Drive
3. Run Boot Camp Assistant
4. Install Windows 7
5. Go through the Windows 7 User setup wizard and click "Skip" on the Product Key entry dialog
6. In the Start Menu search box type "regedit.exe" and press Enter
7. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/"
8. Double click "MediaBootInstall" and change it from "1" to "0"
9. Close Regedit
10. In the Start Menu search box type "cmd" then Right click on the result and choose "Run as administrator"
11. In the now open Command Prompt type "slmgr /rearm" (and wait for it to finish)
12. Restart
13. In the Start Menu search box type "activate" and press Enter
14. Follow the wizard and enter your Product Key to activate
15. Install Boot Camp Driver Package
16. Run Apple Software Update until there are no updates left
17. Run Windows Update until there are no updates left
18. Run Disk Defragmenter Once (skip this step if you have a SSD)
19. Restart

.

I just did a custom install the first time and then did the upgrade the second and Windows activated without a problem. Did not have to use the command prompt at all.

[eo19]

I did finish it up. It worked like a charm. Sure am glad I didn't buy a new full version!

I was then able to install my RealFlight 6 simulator!!!!

[alex-n]

Originally Posted by Quad5Ny

1. Download Official Windows 7 SP1 x64 ISO (This way you don't have to waste half an hour upgrading to SP1 after the install)
2. Burn ISO to DVD or Make Thumb Drive
3. Run Boot Camp Assistant
4. Install Windows 7
5. Go through the Windows 7 User setup wizard and click "Skip" on the Product Key entry dialog
6. In the Start Menu search box type "regedit.exe" and press Enter
7. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/"
8. Double click "MediaBootInstall" and change it from "1" to "0"
9. Close Regedit
10. In the Start Menu search box type "cmd" then Right click on the result and choose "Run as administrator"
11. In the now open Command Prompt type "slmgr /rearm" (and wait for it to finish)
12. Restart
13. In the Start Menu search box type "activate" and press Enter
14. Follow the wizard and enter your Product Key to activate
15. Install Boot Camp Driver Package
16. Run Apple Software Update until there are no updates left
17. Run Windows Update until there are no updates left
18. Run Disk Defragmenter Once (skip this step if you have a SSD)
19. Restart

.

I burned the .iso from that link to a DVD but bootcamp still claims "the installer disc could not be found." What gives?

[blevins321]

Originally Posted by -tWv-

I just did a custom install the first time and then did the upgrade the second and Windows activated without a problem. Did not have to use the command prompt at all.

Yeah that's another proven method. The method mentioned above simply tricks windows into thinking that the upgrade was started from within Windows instead of booting from a disk. So basically by installing first you're having windows do the registry edits for you :-)

[bearsloft]

Just wanted to say many thanks for posting the instructions on how to use the upgrade disc for a clean install. I just used it to install Win 7 on my new iMac with it's shiny new 3TB drive (now that said drive is supported).

Thanks.

Bear