Buy W10 then install on non-genuine W7

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  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 pro
       #1

    Buy W10 then install on non-genuine W7


    My computer runs a non-genuine version of Windows 7 Pro. If I buy a legit new windows 10 Pro Retail disk can I upgrade from my non-genuine W7, or do I need to do a clean install of W10 (and then have to reinstall a whole lot of other software)?
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  2. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    If you buy a new retail pro disk, you won't have to upgrade. If you mean, can you perform an upgrade and keep your files and apps, then yes. Assuming it's not an OEM version of Windows 10.
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  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks mystere. My main concern is I don't want to have to reinstall a whole lot of software and apps. I know this is an option if you upgrade from W7 to W10. I am just not sure if this an option if I upgrade from a non-genuine W7.
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  4. Posts : 1,983
    Windows 10 x86 14383 Insider Pro and Core 10240
       #4

    An alternative is to buy a genuine Windows 7 Pro full retail license from a reputable source, then to make your current Windows 7 Genuine with the purchased product key, and then use a Free Windows 10 download (ISO or MCT) to perform an upgrade installation. You may still have to install some software and apps post-upgrade.

    Doesn't Microsoft allow you to upgrade non-genuine 7 or 8x installations, and allow you to legitimize them afterwards?

    If genuine 7 keys are hard to come by, 8, or 8.1 keys will activate Windows 10 too, post installation.
    The following post provides a list of all qualifying keys to choose from (not all are retail, and OEM keys will not be transferable)):

    Next big Windows 10 release will ease activation hassles - Page 3 - Windows 10 Forums

    However, you first need to confirm that your Windows 7 machine will successfully install, and run Windows 10, and then run a suitable backup/system image before upgrading to be safe.

    The Windows 8.1 upgrade assistant is a quite reliable indicator of what hardware and software will be incompatible: Upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows 7 - Windows Help
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  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks fafhrd. I think I might have to buy the W10 retail and see if I can upgrade from non-genuine W7 while keeping existing apps. Worst case is that the upgrade doesn't work at all - then I'll simply have to do a clean install of the W10 retail then reinstall my other software. A bit of a pain, but it will work.
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  6. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #6

    Mystere said:
    If you buy a new retail pro disk, you won't have to upgrade. If you mean, can you perform an upgrade and keep your files and apps, then yes. Assuming it's not an OEM version of Windows 10.
    It is perfectly acceptable to use an oem 10 licence as well, but licence cannot be transferred to new pc of course.
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  7. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    cereberus said:
    It is perfectly acceptable to use an oem 10 licence as well, but licence cannot be transferred to new pc of course.
    I am not 100% sure, but in past versions OEM licenses were forbidden to be installed on a computer that already had an OS, and they disabled the upgrade feature. You could only do a clean install. Not sure about 10 though.
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  8. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    Beeboy13579 said:
    Thanks mystere. My main concern is I don't want to have to reinstall a whole lot of software and apps. I know this is an option if you upgrade from W7 to W10. I am just not sure if this an option if I upgrade from a non-genuine W7.
    In fact, the only way to bring your license current would be to buy a Windows 10 license, since MS is no longer selling Windows 7 licenses.
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  9. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #9
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  10. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #10

    NavyLCDR said:
    Yes, but these are not official retailers, they're selling old stock. Note your link is not actually sold by Amazon, but by a third party in the amazon marketplace.

    While i'm sure these are perfectly fine licenses, Micorosoft is no long officially selling Windows 7.
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