Microsoft KB Archive/927297

= You cannot select the Upgrade option when you try to install Windows Vista, and you receive the following message: &quot;You must rename or remove  before upgrade can continue&quot; =

Article ID: 927297

Article Last Modified on 3/15/2007

-

APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition

-



SYMPTOMS
When you try to install Windows Vista, you cannot select the Upgrade option that is located in the Install Windows dialog box. Additionally, you receive the following error message in the dialog box:

Upgrade has been disabled

- You must rename or remove  before upgrade can continue.

Note In the error message,  represents one of the following folders:
 * Windows
 * Users
 * ProgramData



CAUSE
This problem may occur if one of the following conditions is true:
 * You are trying to upgrade a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer.
 * Your current Windows directory is not named Windows. Also, another folder that is named Windows exists on the computer.
 * A Users folder exists on the same drive as the Windows directory.
 * A ProgramData folder exists on the same drive as the Windows directory.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, check for one of the folders that are mentioned in the &quot;Symptoms&quot; section. Then, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Rename the folder. To rename the folder, follow these steps:
 * 1) Right-click  , and then click Rename.
 * 2) Type  _old, and then press ENTER.
 * 3) Restart the Windows Vista setup from your current version of Windows.

Method 2

Delete the folder. To delete the folder, follow these steps:  Use a backup program, such as the Backup utility for Windows that is included with Windows XP, to back up the folder. For more information about how to use the Backup utility for Window XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

308422 How to use Backup to back up files and folders on your computer in Windows XP

 Right-click  , and then click Delete. Click Yes on the Confirm Folder Delete dialog box. Restart the Windows Vista setup from your current version of Windows.

Additional query words: Install windir users programdata windows

Keywords: kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbbug kbprb KB927297

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.