Can I do a test install of win 10 without a serial number?

Soldato
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I have put together a PC from and old motherboard and graphics card. I had to try several combinations of MB + graphics card but I have now got a combination of 60 GB HDD , motherboard and graphics card that will run win 7 + SP1 (and no other updates). I have not put a serial number in and the system page says I have 30 days to activate.

Can I run the windows 10 tool to test out win 10 without a serial please?

Or how can I do this please? I don't want to waste a win 7 serial if it won't run win 10.

Thanks, Mel
 
If it's a 60gb hard drive, that system will crawl. the drive speed will be limiting it big time (unless it's an ssd)
 
Thats true. All the recent versions of Windows hot the disk very hard. Which is why a SSD speed makes such a difference. Especially on an old machine.
 
Board only has IDE. Tried an SSD via a ide/sata converter but it kept loosing the boot.

So stuck with IDE drive.

Mel
 
Well - thanks for comments BUT having persuaded the setup to get as far as Win 7 SP1 (never got that far before) and downloading the Windows 10 install tool - it even went as far as "preparing" the media" - THEN I was informed that Win 10 could not be installed as the processor lacked certain facilities / features. Didn't say what!

Anyway it is a P4 2.8GHz - of probably 2003 vintage. So that's it - not worth going any further!

Mel

Edit - apparently something to do with P4 "does not support the execute disable (also known as NX) bit, so Windows 10 is not an option"
 
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I think you are wasting your time. its its a retro box put XP on it, and keep it off the network/web.

Otherwise you can pick up a late core2duo for nothing and its as low as you want to go for basic web browsing. It will light years faster than P4. Use less energy and be genuinely useful box.
 
Can I run the windows 10 tool to test out win 10 without a serial please?

Or how can I do this please? I don't want to waste a win 7 serial if it won't run win 10.
Not sure if many (or anyone) knows this, but Microsoft are actually giving away Win10 to anyone with any Win7 or 8 install, cracked or legit. It's to try and win back the Chinese market who are switching to Ubuntu.
Upgrade your unactivated win7 to 10 using the upgrade app, and see if they are giving it to trial users too.

EDIT: sorry, I just read your post about the CPU not being good enough. Ignore the above. :)
 
Well it's s shame Win 10 won't run. I just left it going and it's now done 200 updates (including SOUNDMax driver which I couldn't find and it's running win 7 sp1 updated OK.

BUT only for 30 days!

Win7 does not seem to still be on sale?
 
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Board only has IDE. Tried an SSD via a ide/sata converter but it kept loosing the boot.

So stuck with IDE drive.

Mel

If its got USB2 then you can boot from that I think. An external drive will take sata

If you have enough memory, Im not sure the disk is so bad as its just loading times. Readyboost in still there
 
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