Vista 'Clean Install' Loophole Workaround Discovered For "Clean Install" With Vista Upgrade DVDs: "Just when everyone thought that all hope was lost when it comes to performing a clean install with a Windows Vista Upgrade DVD, a gleam of light can now be seen at the end of the tunnel. A new workaround proposed by Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents) has been confirmed to work by DailyTech."

My reaction? Honestly, the directions below are not much easier (faster) than installing your previous OS before installing Vista. It does allow me to proceed with only a Vista upgrade disc in hand, however.

The instructions are as follows:

1. Boot with the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD.

2. Click "Install Now."

3. Do not enter a Product Key When prompted.

4. When prompted, select the Vista product edition that you do have.

6. Install Vista normally.

7. Once the install is complete, begin another Vista install within Windows by inserting your Vista DVD. When asked whether to perform either an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. (Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.)

8. Enter your Product Key when prompted.

9. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.