How to: Clean install of Windows 10 possible? - (I have a W7 key)

MoRT489

MoRT489

MoRT489

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I'm getting a new SSD next week and want to do a fresh install of Windows 10 rather than an upgrade from Windows 7, which I'm currently running. I have not clicked "upgrade to Windows 10" previously.

So is it possible to run the Windows 10 installer from a bootable USB drive with the media creation tool downloaded from Microsoft and use my Windows 7 key to activate it as an upgrade (i.e. without needing to buy a new Windows 10 licence)? Or will I first need to have run the upgrade on my Windows 7 SSD to that I am somehow logged in Microsoft as being an upgrade user?

Reasons I don't want to just upgrade my W7 SSD to W10:

  1. it's pointless as I will need to do the install on the new SSD anyway and don't see the point in installing W7 on it and then upgrading to W10 immediately;
  2. I want to keep the W7 SSD for a week in case W10 is messed up and I need to switch back quickly;
  3. I'd rather manually move my files and settings from the W7 SSD to the new W10 SSD, than rely on the installer software to do it.
EDIT: If anyone has a link to a useful Windows 10 installation guide with all the little behind-the-scenes things to switch on and off that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
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The media creation tool might not give you the latest version of W10 so during the install if it won't take your key just skip the step to enter your key. Once in Windows run Windows Update and see if it there is a newer build available, if so download it and upgrade and then activate using your Windows 7 key.

I had to do this at work the other week but Microsoft could have updated stuff since then.

Stoner81.
 
Thanks. Do you know a decent tips and tricks guide for settings to turn on/off in Windows 10? There were plenty for Windows 7 but I can't find one for W10.
 
During install you get to a screen which prompts you to use express settings, I always pick custom since it allows you to disable a ton of information sharing stuff with Microsoft. That is pretty much all I do really though I do disable Winodws Defender too since I use 3rd party software for that job.

Stoner81.
 
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