Claiming but not using the free Windows 10 upgrade

IT Troll · 20 May 2016 at 10:20

I currently run Windows 8.1 Pro on my HTPC so that I can still use Media Center. However it would be nice to claim my free Windows 10 upgrade for possible future use (before the offer ends).

A few articles on the web suggest that the way to do this is to upgrade and then rollback, or alternatively, clone the system disk, upgrade the clone, then swap back to the original.

However, now that the Windows 10 installer will accept Windows 7/8 keys, can I simply connect up some trash disk, perform a clean install onto this and enter my 8.1 retail key in order to register the hardware-based digital entitlement?

Jamesyboyjim · 20 May 2016 at 11:18

I thought you could just register your copy, but choose not to install it? Maybe you cant do that anymore?

ED209 · 20 May 2016 at 11:31

As you said, connect up a old HDD\SSD and do a clean install of windows 10 using their tool to create a USB stick.

once its all done make sure windows is activated and then switch back over the HDDs.

IT Troll · 20 May 2016 at 13:33

Jamesyboyjim said:
I thought you could just register your copy, but choose not to install it? Maybe you cant do that anymore?

Before it was released you could "reserve" an upgrade but all this did was flag it for download. It didn't actually get you a licence.

ED209 said:
As you said, connect up a old HDD\SSD and do a clean install of windows 10 using their tool to create a USB stick.

once its all done make sure windows is activated and then switch back over the HDDs.

Thanks. I thought that should work in theory.