Fresh install of Windows 10 - how do I do it?

StevieP · 10 Aug 2015 at 16:20

I've been meaning for a while to do a full wipe and fresh reinstall on my laptop and it seems to be a decent opportunity to try out Windows 10.

My question is, how do I go about doing this as a full fresh install? (the "Windows 10 is ready to install" message is sat there but I don't want to just update as I always prefer a fresh install!)

The Windows 7 licence on the laptop is OEM - how does this transfer to become a Windows 10 key?? (and I assume I can wipe and reinstall Windows 7 using the original serial number if I don't get on with 10?)

Thanks for any pointers guys...

Memphis · 10 Aug 2015 at 16:44

You have to update first, then chose your poison on reinstalling or refreshing from inside the OS.

StevieP · 10 Aug 2015 at 16:49

Thanks! - I decided to not be the lazy **** that I am and did a bit of Googling and reading anyway and saw this!

From what I understand from various sources I can either "roll back" to Windows 7 (if I've done an update rather than a fresh install) within 1 month or alternatively should be able to do a full reinstall using the Windows 7 serial number on the underside of the laptop - does this sound about right? (I don't want to "lose" Windows 7 just by upgrading!)

Sighn · 10 Aug 2015 at 19:16

The upgrade allows a roll back to your previous installation.

StevieP · 10 Aug 2015 at 21:28

I've done the upgrade rather than a fresh install, purely down to the fact that it didn't give me any other option!

First impressions....is this progress?

It's possibly the ugliest OS I've used since Windows 3.1 - I mean who decided that nice rounded edges were bad??

I'll give it a fair shake but the visuals along with it being generally slower than Windows 7 then I can't see much to keep me!

Disappointed.

linktoinsanity · 11 Aug 2015 at 13:29

StevieP said:
I've done the upgrade rather than a fresh install, purely down to the fact that it didn't give me any other option!

First impressions....is this progress?

It's possibly the ugliest OS I've used since Windows 3.1 - I mean who decided that nice rounded edges were bad??

I'll give it a fair shake but the visuals along with it being generally slower than Windows 7 then I can't see much to keep me!

Disappointed.

A fresh install should fix the speed issue, you can do that now without a product key as it ties itself to your Hardware ID. It then activates.

As far as the aesthetics however, that is down to personal preference and apart from modding the icons, there is little you can do.

If you really hate Windows 10, then Windows 7 will at least be supported until 2020 anyway, so you can stay with that, and yes the old Windows 7 key stays valid, as long as you aren't using the 10 install at the same time on another PC.