Using Boot Camp to install Windows 7 with an upgrade disc

Discussion in 'Windows, Linux & Others on the Mac' started by Tnesper, Oct 24, 2011.

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  1. Tnesper, Oct 24, 2011

    Tnesper macrumors newbie

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    Oct 24, 2011
    #1
    I know that the boot camp instructions state that you must have an original, not an upgrade disc, to install Windows on a Mac using boot camp. As a Windows user thinking about jumping ship, I still have some programs that will require me to have Windows on my computer, but I don’t want to have to invest in a new Windows DVD to run it on a Mac. Which leads me to my question…

    Whenever I have purchased a new version of Windows, I always start over fresh with a full system format. Normally, when installing Windows, this would require you to have a full installation CD and not just an upgrade disc. However, there is a workaround for Windows that I am curious to know if it will work with boot camp. The workaround is simple.

    1) Install Windows using your upgrade disc
    2) When asked for the CD key, leave it blank, effectively installing a 30 day trial of Windows on your PC
    3) Immediately go through the install again, this time entering the CD key.
    4) This will then install the full, non-trial, version of Windows on your PC.

    Basically, this “tricks” (although it is widely believed that Microsoft purposely leaves this loop hole available) the PC into thinking that you are upgrading from a previous Windows installation.

    Not knowing how Macs manage boot camp and whether they function under the same parameters, is it possible that this same trick will work on a Mac? If not, are there other tricks for installing Windows using boot camp with an upgrade only disc?
     
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  2. johnhurley, Oct 24, 2011

    johnhurley macrumors 6502a

    johnhurley

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    #2
    I think it will work just fine ... but as long as you really have a valid key it is not hard to find someone with a real install disc "just in case".
     
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  3. balamw, Oct 24, 2011

    balamw Moderator

    balamw

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    #3
    It works fine. Many of us, myself included, have done this.

    B
     
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  4. gatortpk, May 8, 2012

    gatortpk macrumors 6502

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    #4
    "Upgrade" and "Full" Discs are IDENTICAL

    I'm quite sure, (not 100% positive), that the "Upgrade" and "Full" version DVD Install Discs are identical. The only difference is the Product Key. It's the Product Key that will be recognized as either the upgrade or the full purchase.
     
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  5. Adomian, May 13, 2012

    Adomian macrumors newbie

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    #5
    It works

    I installed Windows 7 on my iMac this way. In fact I followed the directions from your post and it worked perfectly for me. So I just want to thank you for introducing me to this workaround, and I will assure you that it does work. :)
     
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  6. jlrathke, May 13, 2012

    jlrathke macrumors member

    jlrathke

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    #6
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  7. inskev62, Jul 14, 2012

    inskev62 macrumors newbie

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    #7
    Would this still work with a digital download of the upgrade, or will I have to get the disk?
     
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  8. zmenow, Aug 12, 2012

    zmenow macrumors newbie

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    Aug 12, 2012
    #8
    Will this work with Paralles?

    Hi,

    I don't what to use Boot Camp. Will this technique work with Parallels?
     
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  9. terraphantm, Aug 12, 2012

    terraphantm macrumors 68040

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    #9
    It'll work anywhere. The upgrade and retail DVDs are the same - it decides what kind of license it is when you enter the key. So if you install it without a key, it defaults to the full trial. At which point you can upgrade on top of that install with your real key.
     
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  10. LeeM, Oct 1, 2012

    LeeM macrumors 6502a

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    #10
    sorry to bump, but when you do your second install do you do it from within windows?
     
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  11. gekoo, Dec 11, 2012

    gekoo macrumors member

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    Tokyo
    #11
    I tried this and the linked section before but neither worked for my macbook pro retina. When I did the upgrade install my key failed and it said something about this key can only be used for upgrading even thou I did an upgrade. It has worked in the past by installing first home, entering that key then ultimate and entering that key, which is a long process for me.
    Any tips?
     
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