Building new pc: "windows 7 upgrade" w/o prior OS?

[Solumnant]

I'm building my own computer, so I need to buy an os. Problem is that full versions of windows 7 cost a boatload of money, and there are no student discounts on full versions.

Looking around the internet, I found that you could use an "upgrade" version to install on a clean hard-drive. Microsoft itself has details here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/wind ... Windows-7# under "Using the Custom installation option if no operating system is installed".

Is this what I'm looking for, or do I really need to buy a full version?

[Parsifal]

While it isn't legit to install an 'upgrade' version of Windows on a clean system, you can buy an OEM version intended for installation by a computer builder for substantially less than a full retail box (the last time I did this was several years ago, but the price was about $100 vs over twice that).

The catch is that once you activate it, it is generally locked to that system and big changes like a new motherboard or CPU will usually invalidate the key.

[Solumnant]

So I'd need to buy the full version in the little green box for an extra 100 if I'd want to upgrade my cpu and motherboard?

[phlip]

If you still own a license for a version of Windows that you can upgrade from with your Win7 upgrade license, then from what I understand it's doable, and legit... have a look at this thread.

[Parsifal]

Also, you can often call and get the Windows license unlocked when upgrading a PC using an OEM version of Windows, but it is a hassle. If you want to regularly upgrade your CPU (say multiple times per year) then yes, the intent is for you to buy the full retail copy.

Sorry, I assumed from the original post that you didn't have an upgradeable version of Windows to start with (e.g. full version of Windows Vista/XP).