How can I tell if I have an upgrade copy or full version Windows cd?

Question

I "lost" my Windows XP cd, but fortunately I have a "personal backup" copy. I don't recall whether it is an upgrade cd or a full version cd. How can I tell which it is?

Answer 1

One way is to boot from the CD and start the install. Watch the text and if it is an upgrade, you will see that at some point it checks for a previously installed version of Windows.

If it is a full install, then it won't check for it.

This is a specific message and not the same as recognizing that there is already an existing copy on your machine, which both versions do.

Just cancel the install at the end to keep your drive intact.