re-install w10 originally acquired via free downloaded upgrade


  1. Posts : 35
    windows 7
       #1

    re-install w10 originally acquired via free downloaded upgrade


    I bought a notepad programmed with W8.1, hence it came with no Windows 8.1 CDs, and I took advantage of the free download to upgrade to Windows 10. I now want to get rid of the notepad and need to wipe it clean and re-install the OS. But I've nothing for the OS. What do I do? I intend to use a highly recommended software to totally remove any possible trace to anything I'd put on the HD. That, to me, means blanked, cleaned, nothing remaining. Help!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,524
    Win10 Pro
       #2

    frustratedagain said:
    I bought a notepad programmed with W8.1, hence it came with no Windows 8.1 CDs, and I took advantage of the free download to upgrade to Windows 10. I now want to get rid of the notepad and need to wipe it clean and re-install the OS. But I've nothing for the OS. What do I do? I intend to use a highly recommended software to totally remove any possible trace to anything I'd put on the HD. That, to me, means blanked, cleaned, nothing remaining. Help!
    if you obtained Win10 by upgrading and you have not done a clean install of Win 10 then you can probably use the recovery partition to restore Win 8.1 to the factory installed configuration. Look through the documentation that came with unit for instructions or go the manufactures web site for specific instructions.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 35
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    thanks


    Thanks for your suggestion.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    Before you do anything, I would export the third party device drivers by opening a Command Prompt (Admin) and running:

    dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\Drivers

    the path in red will be to an external storage device with a folder created on it to hold the drivers.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 35
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    re-install w10 originally acquired via free downloaded upgrade


    NavyLCDR said:
    Before you do anything, I would export the third party device drivers by opening a Command Prompt (Admin) and running:

    dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\Drivers

    the path in red will be to an external storage device with a folder created on it to hold the drivers.
    I got Error 87, the .....destination option is unknown. Several suggestions to learn more about dism.exe lead nowhere.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    frustratedagain said:
    I got Error 87, the .....destination option is unknown. Several suggestions to learn more about dism.exe lead nowhere.
    Code:
    C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /online /export-driver /?
    
    Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
    Version: 10.0.14393.0
    
    Image Version: 10.0.14393.0
    
    /Export-Driver /Destination:<path_to_destination_folder>
    
      Export all third-party driver packages from a Windows image to a destination path.
    
        Examples:
          DISM.exe /Image:C:\test\offline /Export-Driver /Destination:C:\destpath
    
    C:\WINDOWS\system32>
    And
    DISM Driver Servicing (.inf) Command-Line Options
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 35
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    NavyLCDR said:
    Code:
    C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /online /export-driver /?
    
    Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
    Version: 10.0.14393.0
    
    Image Version: 10.0.14393.0
    
    /Export-Driver /Destination:<path_to_destination_folder>
    
      Export all third-party driver packages from a Windows image to a destination path.
    
        Examples:
          DISM.exe /Image:C:\test\offline /Export-Driver /Destination:C:\destpath
    
    C:\WINDOWS\system32>
    And
    DISM Driver Servicing (.inf) Command-Line Options

    Thanks for assuming I would understand, but I don't. Could you possibly explain how I can make this work for me?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #8

    This only works on Windows 8 or Windows 10, not Windows 7. You make a folder on an external storage device such as a USB flash drive. I recommend at least 4 GB free space on it. Lets say you call the folder Drivers. Of course there has to be a drive letter assigned for you to make the folder, lets say it gets the drive letter E:. With the USB flash drive inserted, and you can see E:\Drivers in file explorer:
    Right click on the start icon, and select Command Prompt (Admin). In the Window that opens you would run:

    dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\Drivers

    Change the E:\Drivers part to match the drive letter and folder you create to hold them. The folder can be on C: drive if you want, but you will have to move them off of C: drive before you do a reset or clean install of Windows.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 35
    windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #9

    It was the spaces that I missed. Once I entered the spaces correctly, it worked. Thanks to all here for the help.
      My Computer


 

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