Because I’m a college student, I can get Windows 7 Professional Upgrade for only $30. I thought it was the full version until I checked the offer further. I have Vista already and can upgrade it, but if I need to format my hard drive for some reason, or for when I get a new hard drive, is there any way to install it from scratch?
No, you will need the full version for that.
But don’t start to cry (yet), there is another solution.
Upgrade, install all drivers etc, than create a image of your drive.
If you ever need/want to start from “scratch” again, use the image.
@ BrandonN2008
Dont let Eddy’s advice stop you as you have the oportunity to upgrade for a real inexpensive price.
Save all of your important information to CD or USP Flash drive.
Read:
Clean Install Windows 7 with Upgrade Media
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp
People I've "converted" to Avast! - 5Have you converted 5 people to avast! + 5 or convinced 5 people to get rid of avast! - 5?
Huh, so basically I could possibly perform a clean install, and if doesn’t work, I can upgrade from the unactivated windows 7 and it will trick it to thinking I’m upgrading from an older Windows?
Next Wednesday my pension comes in and I am going to purchase a new hard drive plus Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade and do the upgrade so I will better be able to answer questions.
I am going to back up all my important data onto a USB Flash stick then I will install the new hard drive as primary with the old drive as secondary.
Total cost about $200 plus tax.
Hey Brandon, This will tell you exactly how to do it. I used Method #2 With Windows 7 and Method #3 when I was using Vista.
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp
I’ll give these a try when I get a blank HDD. Do you think Microsoft will try to update Windows and stop people from doing this or can they pretty much do nothing about it?
I don’t think they’ll do anything, The double install trick was available in Vista from day one and it still works.
sign up to studentSpark and get w7 for free
or msdn like I did, 3 months ago 
delete, thanks 