Regarding the free Windows 10 Upgrade offer

Ricochet J · 22 Mar 2016 at 14:20

My brother has Windows 7 installed. The infamous Windows 10 update offer is available to him.

If he accepts their offer, and at a later date needs to reformat his PC, does he install Windows 7 and then upgrade to Windows 10 again?

Also is there a way of doing the Windows 10 upgrade a "clean install"?

GAM8LE · 22 Mar 2016 at 14:47

Ricochet J said:
My brother has Windows 7 installed. The infamous Windows 10 update offer is available to him.

If he accepts their offer, and at a later date needs to reformat his PC, does he install Windows 7 and then upgrade to Windows 10 again?

Also is there a way of doing the Windows 10 upgrade a "clean install"?

If the most up to date build comes down via the notification then he will be able to upgrade to 10, then do a fresh install immediately and use the windows 7 key to activate if it is a retail key.

If not, then the below needs to be followed:

Upgrade to Windows 10
Activate it (should be automated)
Fresh install
Activate Again(it is tied to the motherboard so upgrading needs done first and a double check its activated)

For changing hardware etc your bro will need to give up his windows 7 key to Microsoft in exchange for a windows 10 key.

In terms of reformatting - he can reformat directly onto a clean windows 10 install, as long as no hardware changes happen in between.

flowrider99 · 22 Mar 2016 at 21:31

Actually the second activation is automatically done by Windows itself so no need to input an activation code again.

Gze · 22 Mar 2016 at 22:38

flowrider99 said:
Actually the second activation is automatically done by Windows itself so no need to input an activation code again.

Yes, windows detects the previously used key.

dt97583 · 24 Mar 2016 at 00:25

There's no need to upgrade, activate then perform a fresh install. Windows 10 now accepts Win 7/8/8.1 keys for activation. You just need to create a bootable USB stick using:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10ISO

Then boot off it, reformat, activate, sorted. No need to install twice.

Just make sure you've made a note of your Windows key before wiping and starting over.

flowrider99 · 24 Mar 2016 at 16:12

davidmt83 said:
There's no need to upgrade, activate then perform a fresh install. Windows 10 now accepts Win 7/8/8.1 keys for activation. You just need to create a bootable USB stick using:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10ISO

Then boot off it, reformat, activate, sorted. No need to install twice.

Just make sure you've made a note of your Windows key before wiping and starting over.

The problem is that no everyone has their Windows key hence why the need to upgrade first.

dt97583 · 24 Mar 2016 at 18:21

flowrider99 said:
The problem is that no everyone has their Windows key hence why the need to upgrade first.

This is a joke right?

What's faster, upgrading a whole Operating System or downloading either of the following:

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

riskyfrisky · 26 Mar 2016 at 18:20

Sorry to hijack your thread op but can someone clarify the following:

I'm wanting to upgrade to Windows 10 but the motherboard is a little old now; if I do the upgrade and the motherboard goes kaput, will I be able to install Windows 10 onto a new motherboard with my old Windows 7 license?

If i'm understanding what Gamble posted i'd need to contact Microsoft and provide my Windows 7 key in exchange for a Windows 10 key in case of new hardware changes?

Is that right?