The Clean Install Question. Reading Between The Lines.

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  1. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #1

    The Clean Install Question. Reading Between The Lines.


    The ability to clean install W10 seems to be at the top of the list for many...

    I spotted this on the MS forums,
    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...e-802a4213c40e

    where it is 'stated' that an .iso will be available by W10 launch...... that this could be used for an offline upgrade...... and that this must be done a 'qualifying' system.

    Big question if this is true. What is a qualifying system ??? Does it have to be an up to date W7/8 install that is showing the upgrade icon or could an activated copy of W7/8 be used as well.

    If so then are in the situation when Vista appeared and we could all clean install simply by activating a clean custom install (no updates needed or anything) and then install Vista again as an upgrade. Result. A clean install.

    Something like this has been my hope really for the upgrade. I don't really want an in place upgrade carrying over everything I have.
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  2. Posts : 486
    Windows 10x64 17713
       #2

    I would imagine both would apply; your system needs to be up-to-date for the upgrade and also must have a valid license.
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  3. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    This is not a "question".. and I don't really understand why people are so paranoid about this. There is no need to "read between the lines" as it's been laid out pretty clearly, with the possible exception of whether or not new keys will be issued.

    Microsoft has made it very clear for a very long time that Windows 10 will be delivered as an upgrade via Windows Update, and as an ISO just like traditional Windows ISO's. How exactly do you think OEM's will be able to install Windows 10?

    Microsoft has also released upgrade matrixes, which state quite clearly that certain versions of Windows will require an ISO to upgrade to Windows 10, but that a direct upgrade path is present.
    The Clean Install Question. Reading Between The Lines.-windows-10-upgrade-path-matrix-600x477.jpg
    In particular, since only Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 S14 are able to be upgraded via Windows Update, all other supported upgrade paths require an ISO. That means Windows 7 RTM, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 (not yet upgraded to S16), Previous versions of Windows 10 betas... All will require an ISO to upgrade if you don't want to first upgrade to the version required for Windows Update upgrades to work.

    A "qualifying system" means that its elegible for the "free upgrade". Enterprise editions of Windows are not eligible, for instance. Neither is Windows 8 RT. In the question you linked to, it's talking about the Windows Update upgrade, not upgrades via ISO.

    (this part is speculation on my part, as i'm not 100% sure how this will work)

    When you upgrade via ISO, if your system already has a valid and genuine Windows 7 or 8.x key for Home or Pro (or ultimate) then it will just install and keep working using your old key. If you are upgrading an Enterprise version, it will require a new Windows 10 key.

    I don't believe any new keys will be issued for Windows 10 upgrades, except for non-qualifying systems (or obviously if you buy a full retail copy, and then use it to upgrade).
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  4. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks Mystere.

    Well maybe it is just me still not getting this :)

    The specific question I am interested in is... can I, with my retail copy of W8.1 which is fully up to date and which is offering the 'upgrade' option clean install W10 when it is released.

    If yes, what would be the method ?
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  5. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #5

    Hi there

    I suspect even for "Upgrade" the ESD==>ISO method as posted in the tutorials could still be used to create an ISO -- we'll all know nearer the time of course. I have no doubt that ISO's will be made by some method or another after RTM even for "Upgrades" -- after all say you have some sort of crash or a nasty virus infection --you might well want to do a CLEAN install and I don't suppose you'd have to re-install W7 again (plus its updates) and then go through the W10 update process as well again.

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  6. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    Mooly said:
    Thanks Mystere.

    Well maybe it is just me still not getting this :)

    The specific question I am interested in is... can I, with my retail copy of W8.1 which is fully up to date and which is offering the 'upgrade' option clean install W10 when it is released.

    If yes, what would be the method ?
    Yes, but not through Windows Update. You will need to use an ISO. To upgrade via ISO you select the Upgrade option when installing, just like when upgrading Windows 7 to 8, or XP to 7. To clean install you choose the Custom install, again just like Setup has been doing for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. It works the same as previous versions of windows when installing from ISO.
    Last edited by Mystere; 03 Jun 2015 at 02:57.
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  7. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    jimbo45 said:
    Hi there

    I suspect even for "Upgrade" the ESD==>ISO method as posted in the tutorials could still be used to create an ISO -- we'll all know nearer the time of course. I have no doubt that ISO's will be made by some method or another after RTM even for "Upgrades" -- after all say you have some sort of crash or a nasty virus infection --you might well want to do a CLEAN install and I don't suppose you'd have to re-install W7 again (plus its updates) and then go through the W10 update process as well again.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    There will be no need to do that... Microsoft will have ISO's available for you to download. Official ISO's.
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  8. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 10 Pro (32-bit) 16299.15
       #8

    There have been a couple of interesting tweets on Gabe Aul's Twitter feed about this recently, which confirm what Mystere has said:



    Edit: and more...
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  9. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    This is really very simple....

    Windows will be distributed, and sold, just like it always has. You will be able to install it, just like it always has. Nothing is changing with physical ISO's. It's all EXACTLY the same (with the exception of the new installation status).

    The *ONLY* difference here is that Microsoft is *ALSO* (as in, in addition to) offering this Windows Update upgrade method. This is in addition to the normal options that have always been available. The Windows Update method only works if you have Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 S14. If you are not running those specific versions, then you can't use the Windows Update upgrade method and you only have the traditional methods that have always been available for install (clean and upgrade).

    In other words, At worst, nothing has changed from the way Windows was installed in previous releases of Windows. At best, you get an automatic upgrade via Windows Update if you choose to go that route.

    The only other possible difference here is the way in which keys are handled, which hasn't been fully communicated yet. However, it seems likely that Windows 10 is just going to use whatever key you already have installed in an upgrade (assuming it's a valid key, and eligible for upgrading), or allow you to enter your old key when doing a clean install. At worst, you have to use the method that's required in Windows 8.1, which is to use a generic install key, then change your key to your Windows 8 key and then activate.

    Regardless, the key takeaway here is... AT THE VERY WORST POSSIBLE SITUATION, it will simply work as it always has. You can always fall back to that...
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  10. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
    Thread Starter
       #10

    David, those tweets you posted are the closest thing I have seen to a reasonable answer. Thanks.


    I'm going to throw another question in on the fly......

    Gabe says,
    'You will not need your 8.1 key, the same device will reactivate once it has been successfully upgraded to 10'

    So a specific question based on answers to date (which I know are not guranteed). I upgrade my retail 8.1 to 10 and then I clean install 10.

    What then is the status of the 8.1 license ???

    Is it still tied in some way to the upgrade or would it be free to use on another machine... which I can't see because that would enable you to upgrade.clean install an unlimited number of pc's. Probably unanswerable at the moment.


    Posssible scenario... you upgrade, clean install and then need to install again (new HDD fitted maybe). What license key do you use ? Maybe there could be a new option in the W10 install procedure... type existing W7/8 license here.


    I'm thinking aloud and to hard :)
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