Wiping my PC can I Install windows 10 without Prior Win OS?

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  1. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
       #1

    Wiping my PC can I Install windows 10 without Prior Win OS?


    Hello Everyone,

    Once or twice a year I wipe my whole PC and it is time to do another one. I usually install a full version of XP then upgrade to win 8.1. Do I need to still do that or can I just pop in Windows 10 Bootable disc to start the re installation process? If that is ok, then what else do I need prior to re installation?

    I made a Windows 10.iso file to make the installation.

    Thank you!
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  2. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #2

    Your machine will only activate from the Upgrade version of Win10 if it has been through an in-place upgrade from Win8.1 -- and activated afterward. If your machine has never had Win10 on it, a clean install of Win10 will never activate -- as MS provides no way to enter existing product keys for upgrade versions of Win10.
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  3. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    No, you don`t have to re install XP and Windows 8.1 again, just clean install 10. But yes, you do have to create the install media, either a dvd or usb stick.

    Why not just make an image though ? Or use the reset feature, Why keep re installing all the time ? No need.

    But as Mark says, you will have had to do the upgrade from 8.1 and activated 10 at least once to do future clean installs.
    Last edited by AddRAM; 20 Aug 2015 at 23:25.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 5
    win10
       #4

    You can upgrade from 8.1 or buy an install image for a clean install. The 8.1 activation will be transferred to W10. You'll get a key when you buy an ISO online.

    Explore the reset/refresh options in 10.
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  5. Posts : 558
    Windows 10
       #5

    AddRAM said:
    No, you don`t have to re install XP and Windows 8.1 again, just clean install install 10. But yes, you do have to create the install media, either a dvd or usb stick.

    Why not just make an image though ? Or use the reset feature, Why keep re installing all the time ? No need.

    But as Mark says, you will have had to do the upgrade from 8.1 and activated 10 at least once to do future clean installs.
    The OP said he had a bootable disk with the ISO image on it , are you saying he has to create something else for it to work?
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  6. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    No, but the OP also specifically said this "I made a Windows 10.iso file to make the installation."

    He never actually said he made the disc yet, he just asked if he could pop in a windows 10 disc to start the install.

    So I just wanted the OP to be sure, read it how you want
    :)
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  7. Posts : 68
    Windows 10
       #7

    He actually could start the install from the ISO file it self if doing the upgrade.
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  8. Posts : 558
    Windows 10
       #8

    Mansome said:
    He actually could start the install from the ISO file it self if doing the upgrade.

    Thats what i did and now Win 10 will not activate , i upgraded Win 10 the proper way the first time as well , my computer according to the command prompt was permanently activated but after doing a clean install from an ISO file directly from Microsofts website it won't activate , exact same version as well .
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  9. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Mark Phelps said:
    Your machine will only activate from the Upgrade version of Win10 if it has been through an in-place upgrade from Win8.1 -- and activated afterward. If your machine has never had Win10 on it, a clean install of Win10 will never activate -- as MS provides no way to enter existing product keys for upgrade versions of Win10.
    Thank you Mark. I appreciate the info. If I downloaded the windows 10 upgrade and installed it before I do the clean can I then wipe my whole computer clean and then pop in the windows 10 bootable disk and do an install from there instead of putting in my windows XP full version, then my windows 8.1 DVD that I created from the ISO file and then the windows 10 DVD that I created from the ISO file? It would be really awesome if I can just plop in that Windows 10 DVD that I created from the ISO file which would save me some time.

    I know I heard of some other methods, but this is the way I've been doing it for years and haven't really learned how to do anything else because I haven't had the time. Once again Mark thank you so much for your answer and your time.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 314
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Build 1803
    Thread Starter
       #10

    AddRAM said:
    No, you don`t have to re install XP and Windows 8.1 again, just clean install install 10. But yes, you do have to create the install media, either a dvd or usb stick.

    Why not just make an image though ? Or use the reset feature, Why keep re installing all the time ? No need.

    But as Mark says, you will have had to do the upgrade from 8.1 and activated 10 at least once to do future clean installs.
    thank you AddRAM For your help and information. I have done that method I've mentioned in my post for years and just didn't have time to learn other methods and I was content with what I was doing. If people here and can tell me that the other ways are much quicker and to the point where it can wipe my computer clean just like doing a complete wipe that I've been doing for years and maybe I'll look into switching.
      My Computer


 

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