ActiveWin published a workaround provided by Microsoft internal documentation for Vista Upgrade DVDs that will not invalidate the Windows XP Key, as discussed here.
Edit Update: As noted in the comments below, Blair provided the original source, not credited by ActiveWin, as Paul Thurrott.
“Per Microsoft’s new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP. When this occurs, the Windows XP license is forfeited and the Windows Vista installation process can take place. Now, however, this workaround allows users to perform a ?clean install.? The process is a bit tedious, but is not hard are all to complete. Users have to perform these simple steps to perform a clean install of Vista without a previous version of Windows installed with an upgrade DVD:
1. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
2. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click “Next” and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
3. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
4. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
5. This time, type in your product key when prompted.
6. When asked whether to perform 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.
7. 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.”
Corrine 
Security Garden
wait – it doesn’t validate that you have a legitimate XP key???
oh man hahahaha
Activewin didn’t credit the source. Original article by Paul Thurrott:
http://www.windowsitpro.com/mobile/pda/Article.cfm?ArticleID=95011&News=1
(mobile linked because of annoying full-screen ad)
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Thanks for the original source, Blair. I’ve updated the post to include the link to Paul Thurrott’s article.
you guys read instructions before enter the discussions.
Xp had 30days before you activate it which mean you can install Vista Upgrade before within 30days. how does it sound to u?
The biggest argument which may sound small but it is the deciding factor in upgrading is that stupid start menu on the left column,since most people run high resolutions ,you cant hardly read the text to find programs or folders.Also Gamers are throwing big fits on this operating system with what DirectX 10 is going to cost them just to upgrade along of the cost to upgrade to Vista.average cost $1150.00
[…] got yourself a computer with no operating system. Except, of course, DOS. Thankfully, a workaround, albeit a complicated one, has been made available on the […]
I do not understand why your old XP key is invalidated ? it seems a little churlish of the big MS as having already purchased XP and bought the right to use it, (the upgrade is supposed to be free) why should this invalidate your copy of XP. Obviously the Vista upgrade is not a freebie and once your XP key is no good to man nor beast, where do you get your new Vista license key and genuine Vista sticker from ? do they send it to you ? i dont think so.
I also feel that when you run a P4 2.8 512mg ram PC you should be able to run the full blown copy of Vista, when I tried it would not do so. Oh well enough said, I for one shall be sticking with XP Pro for a long while yet because if that operating system is anything to go by it will take at least a year before it becomes a passabley stable system
Thats before Vista becomes a passabley stable operating system
[…] PC Specs vbmenu_register(“specs_2736”); The workaround is pretty useful for people who don’t want to lose their xp cd key __________________ [2007 […]
If loading Vista makes XP invalid, what happens if later you want to do a re-install?
Hi, Mike. If you follow the instructions posted above, the XP Key will not be invalidated.
IT’S TOO LATE!!! I already tried to upgrade, got tired of VISTA problems and am trying to re-install XP… NOW I CAN’T because of invalid key.
NOW WHAT???
Wow!!
That is sooo much better!!
For an upgrade install on a new hdd you only have to install XP ONCE and Vista TWICE.
This is productivity plus 🙁
I’ve already re-installed Win XP after trying to install Vista (which died 3/4 way through the install). XP re-installed ok with my old key, out of the box, and allowed me to install Service Pack 2, so that I could try a clean install of Vista again. The second attempt to install Vista worked okay. Then I found out that I could’ve installed a trial version of Vista…
Why u want Vista on your Computer.
Vista is nothing more then a overpriced Plus! package with DRM junk in it like XP.
U want vista, just install a Vista Transformation Pack in Windows XP and u have Vista.
Vista is not the money worth buying.
U need a new anti-virus or Internet Security Suite (your old one dont work on Vista)
When u use Roxio 8 or Nero 6 u can buy Roxio 9 or Nero 7 for all your multimedia burning needs, an old version dont work on Vista.
The use of Vista on a PC is not even proven, its only a HYPE.
U need to buy anything u use on your pc over again in a new version, and for what reason ?
Just u got AERO, a gadgetbar on the right and a Media Center with a new skin.
U got Defender, a spyware remover that works for 50%.
The security in Vista is just more a joke then a fact, when u see whats on the piracy scene, Vista is already a HOT item on piracy sites. (sad but true, MS fails again before the OS is launched in stores)
U want bling bling on a computer ?
Buy a Mac with Mac OS X Tiger (future based Leopard, the real Windows killer (not only Vista)).
Dont buy a bad overpriced copy, buy the real thing.
Dont see me as a mac fan or a PC hater, these are just the facts.
If Vista is that good what MS is telling u, i had it installed on any PC or Laptop at home.
Your rights as end user are a joke too u trow your money in the trashcan when u buy vista.
U own nothing u have nothing.
The upgrade system is like u go 30 years back in time.
Installing a OS before installing the other one.
And EVERYONE have internet on THAT computer. (irronic)
This is the same nonsense like Valve’s STEAM to play HL2.
It costs u more time and work then its worth. (and money)
Whats the problem with Intalling a Upgrade version on a pc or laptop and putting your retail or OEM CD in the drive so u can install the OS.
This is a problem for hardcore pc users and gamers (when u format your pc a lot, u remove and add hardware a lot on a year) vista is a hell on your computer and useless when u read all of this.
Lots of problems u will see when the system asks u too activate windows.
Product activation is like a car that u have to start with a handle like in the old days.
And you dont own the handlekey thats the best part.
Back to the stone age with Microsoft.
XP was the first attemt, Vista is the second one.
XP key invalidated?… try calling Microsoft Activation; tell them that Vista is NOT running properly on your hardware (which, with all your old apps at this point, it probably ISN’T!) – ask them to allow you to go back to XP – perhaps they will do this for you. It’s certainly worth a try. Then you can follow the alternate procedure and work with Vista until you are comfortable with it AND it is ready for prime time.
I realy do not understand what you talking about.You can use 1 XP key for 1000 computer,or reinstall xp 1000 time even you đi upgrade it to vista and want to roll back.That’s no ptoblem.But if after you do upgrade to vista and then you back to XP .You can not upgrade to vista again with same xp key
This is one reason why when folks ask me if I’m going to Vista now, I’m like “I don’t think so”.
As someone mentioned before, about a year from now will be best after other folks have the problems and work out the bugs. Have fun is all I can say….
I installed vista upgrade from dell over xp. Computer was locking up constantly, so I did a clean (erased everything) install with the vista and did not put in any key code. Then as soon as that was installed…I reinstalled it over the orginial (vista without key) version but did this with the key code. Everything works perfectly…all softwre I have used seems to be working great. I found this website while looking for the latest roxio software.
Help!
I had problems with XP, did a clean install of Vista (did not enter product Id as instructed) and everything on Vista works fine with my computer. I then purchased vista upgrade product key and tried to
“upgrade” Vista to Vista and my install of Vista failed because of incomptable components (although I am using the first Vista now fine!)
Any ideas?
[…] Update: Workaround posted here! […]
I tried the go around method. It worked great for about three months, than one day I rebooted my computer and I could not log on. There was a message “this version of Vista is not Genuine”. I phoned Microsoft asking them why this had happened, they had no answers. I tried everything “No Luck” I was on and off the phone with Microsoft for 3 days. I lost all my data on my C drive. To make a long story short Microsoft ended up issuing me a new key and I needed Xp to upgrade my system.
This saved me!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
I am getting a message that I have to accept the conditions for using Windows XP, that I have already done. It sounds like I will then get Windows Vista, which I don’t want. What can I do?
Will this work on a laptop with no OS already installed? I needed to put a new HD in my laptop and all i have is my old vista upgrade disc because it used to have XP. So will it work on an empty hardrive if i follow the above directions? Please reply!