There are a number of references floating around the Internet about how to use an upgrade version of Vista to actually perform a clean install. I am not going to recap the steps here but a simple Windows Live query will yield the steps.

But I did actually use the method, and it works. In my case I really was upgrading in the sense my system had a legitimate version of XP Pro on it when I bought it, and I therefor was qualified for the upgrade price. Since the process allows a clean install as opposed to an upgrade in place it was very attractive to me.

Upgrading an OS is always a rather tricky business and invariably leaves a lot of extraneous "crud" from the previous OS laying around your hard drive and registry. So when possible I always prefer to do a clean install and start fresh.

So I used the "trick" that is being circulated to perform a clean install with an upgrade only version. I believe since I did in fact have a full valid license to XP that I am not violating the spirit of the license even if I am technically in violation.

That being said I would not condone someone installing an upgrade version unless they were qualified to do so in accordance with the intent of the license agreement. I have heard many folks make the argument that since the installer allows it to happen, it must somehow be ok.

Sorry, I don't buy that argument. If you have a licensed OS that is allowed to be upgraded, and you are in fact upgrading that system then you qualify for the upgrade price. Otherwise you should pay full price. Its fairly black and white, I don't see any gray anywhere in there.

Now is Vista, whatever version, worth the price? The market will decide that.

Cheers,

Robert Porter