New Build PC - Clean Install Windows 10 on unactivated PC

IsaacFL · 29 May 2016

I am building a new PC from scratch and I have a Retail DVD of Windows 8.1 Pro that is currently not installed on anything. I had bought this DVD right after 8.1 came out, and installed it on another PC that had Windows 7 previously, but then reverted back to Windows 7. So not used for a few years.

Can I install Windows 10 Pro directly without installing and activating the Windows 8.1 Pro? I am hoping I will be able to use the Key from my Windows 8.1 Pro.

The tutorial talks about "activated" PC's. This PC will not have been activated previously.

Kyhi · 29 May 2016

since it is a Retail version - the product key is transferable...

I would suggest installing windows 8.1 on that PC - and see if it will activate...

if it does not activate - disconnect from internet - and retry activation - and use the call in option..
when asked how many PC it is activated on - the answer is 1....

after activated - run the windows 10 setup.exe from with the windows 8 OS to upgrade..

Phone Man · 29 May 2016

I have used a retail W8 key to install and activate W10 on a new system.
Just enter the W8 key during the W10 install.

Jim

jimbo45 · 30 May 2016

Kyhi said:

since it is a Retail version - the product key is transferable...

I would suggest installing windows 8.1 on that PC - and see if it will activate...

if it does not activate - disconnect from internet - and retry activation - and use the call in option..
when asked how many PC it is activated on - the answer is 1....

after activated - run the windows 10 setup.exe from with the windows 8 OS to upgrade..

Hi there

too much unnecessary work --just do as @Phone Man says - simply install W10 and enter your W8 key.

Cheers
jimbo

cereberus · 30 May 2016

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

too much unnecessary work --just do as @Phone Man says - simply install W10 and enter your W8 key.

Cheers
jimbo

Yes and no - try clean install first and using old key to activate. HOWEVER sometimes it complains 8 key is in use on another pc. Then you have to install 8 any way, use telephone activation to transfer key to new pc, and use that to activate windows 10 installation.

As it has not been used for several years, it will probably activate without windows 8 key needing to be reactivated as above.

In event, you do need to reactivate windows 8 key on new pc, several ways to do this without having to reinstall windows 10 again a second time.

1) temporarily install as a dual boot option

2) install it on a spare hard drive (removing windows 10 hard drive temporarily)

3) install windows 8 on an external usb hard drive (or even 32GB+ flash drive in legacy bios mode) using www.easyuefi.com

Alternatively make backup image of windows 10 install and restore (not much advantage over installing windows 10 a second time though but may save time)

IsaacFL · 30 May 2016

The new motherboard is supposed to arrive Wednesday so I'll see how it works.

This got me to thinking. I was planning to pull the SSD out of my old computer for the new one. I think what I will do is install the new computer on a spare hard drive first. Hopefully activate it with W10, or go through the W8.1 if needed, to finally get W10 activated. Then I will test it a few days to make sure the new computer is ok.

After I know I am ok, then I will pull the SSD out of the old computer, reinstall W10 on new computer and go from there with the new computer.

I assume once I have gotten W10 activated, if I pull out the hard drive and reinstall on the SSD, the activation will be ok.

Kyhi · 30 May 2016

you assume correctly...

IsaacFL · 01 Jun 2016

It worked as expected. Installed Win10 from USB, and activated with Win 8.1 key.

Phone Man · 01 Jun 2016

IsaacFL said:

It worked as expected. Installed Win10 from USB, and activated with Win 8.1 key.

Thanks for letting us know.

Jim