Hello
I recently did a free upgrade to win 10 from win 7 (legal copy). I downloaded the iso and made a bootable disc. I retrieved the installation key from my computer but i am just wondering if i can do a clean install with that disc and the installation key that i have or would i have to purchase a win 10 program.
Thank you.
You can use the same key again, it should be in your Bios also , after first install.............
If your Windows 7 key is an OEM key, it will be totally useless when clean installing Windows 10.
What you need to do, is:
First of all make sure which OS edition your Windows 7 is (Home, Pro, Enterprise)
Second verify that you downloaded the correct Windows 10 installation media (if you used the MS tools, you have most likely all editions there)
Next do a full system disc image backup of your current installation using Macrium Reflect.
Next upgrade current OS to Windows 10 using your created media.
Next connect your local computer account to an Microsoft account by opening any Microsoft App and logging in using your MS credentials and let the OS connect to all services using that account.
Finally go to Settings->Updates And Security->Activation and verify that the dialog says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account"
Like this:
Next time you decide to clean install Windows 10, skip the SERIAL KEY part, as it will let you install without one. Once you are in Windows 10 and your computer is connected to the internet, you can go and verify the activation status as described above.
If you decided to create a local user account during setup instead of logging straight into and MS account, do the "connect to MS account" procedure again described above and your Windows should automatically activate with your digital license.
I've done this a million (too many to be counted) times and it works every time.
I highly recommend you create a local account instead of an MS account during clean install, since it makes managing things a lot easier if you ever run into any issues.
Thank you
Win 7 PRO not OEM but a purchased product.
Upgraded with the downloaded ISO bootable disc.
Windows is activated with a digital license linked to my microsoft account.
I have a seperate data drive so nothing on my C: needs to be saved.
I noticed that GPEDIT is not available in the home edition but i managed to install it anyway saving myself the cost of a PRO upgrade.
So i am assuming i am good to go.
Thanks for the help.
You're very welcome!
You have a retail key then, that should work on Windows 10 too, at least for now.
If you ever run into any licencing issues, look up the ShowKeyPlus threads here on Tenforums and contact the OP of that thread.
Win 7 Pro (while free upgrade still operative) is entitled to upgrade to Win 10 Pro: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...-upgrade-paths
I just did this a couple of weeks ago on my old work laptop with Win 7 Pro, after I bought it from my employer.
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