Upgrade vs Clean Install

f14tomcat said:

Macrium got it simple and quick. If you plan to change boxes and/or OS, they have an option in the software to "remove license key". Take it off old, put it on new! Done.

Nice! I gotta learn to use that one; just haven't taken the time.

However, what Gary's talking about is upgrading with "just any old key" thing, which won't work.

I wonder if it would work with Macrium?

Wynona said:

No, you can't, Gary; try entering "any product key" to an installation of Windows 7. It won't work. You will be told to purchase a key or call Microsoft. If you call Microsoft, they will tell you that's not a legitimate key. How they know is something I haven't a clue about, but they do know.

Secondly, if you've removed Windows 7 from your computer and want to put it onto another computer, and you tell them that's what you've done, most likely, you'll be given a few gazillion numbers to enter, which will activate Windows on the new computer. and you're good to go. The license on the old computer is no longer valid.

So I had to re install Windows 7 so many times that I had to call MS to have it activated. So if I were to give them my original key it may not work. I thought the Upgrades were going to be pushed through Windows Update so that MS would easily validate your system.

Gary said:

So I had to re install Windows 7 so many times that I had to call MS to have it activated. So if I were to give them my original key it may not work. I thought the Upgrades were going to be pushed through Windows Update so that MS would easily validate your system.

Yes, that will be one option, Gary. But not the only one. Also, I believe that your product key stayed the same.

Wynona said:

Yes, that will be one option, Gary. But not the only one. Also, I believe that your product key stayed the same.

I just checked and it is the same. So what you are saying that if I give them my key they will verify it and then I could do a clean install. This will work even though I have a clone of Windows 7 which I made using Macrium Reflect?

How to: upgrade from previous versions of Windows using Windows 10 ISO file

Technical Level : Basic
Summary

As we approach the launch of Windows 10 this summer, hundreds of millions of existing Windows users will be taking advantage the opportunity to upgrade their current version to Windows 10 for free. This represents an unprecedented change in Microsoft's business model of requiring purchase of a license. Windows 10 will be offered two ways to existing Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 users. You will be able to download the update through Windows Update or you can download .ISO media and use it do an in place upgrade. For many persons, using ISO media will be the preferred method since you will have a backup copy for reinstall purposes if needed. Also for persons with limited bandwidth, this will be an excellent way avoid the need to download the update more than once if you have multiple computers. So lets take a look at upgrading to Windows 10.

I just read this in the MS Community

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/i...1-0edc4649bf43

BunnyJ said:

Gary, Your making this so complicated. You enter your key for Win7/Win8.1 and MS will verify it.. this is not an activation process. You can't just enter any numbers.. it's got to be a valid MS licensee/key. Stop worrying.. this is not going to be that complex to get the upgrade to Win10.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/i...1-0edc4649bf43

OK you know more than the folks at MS then.