Upgrading from windows 7

otuatail · 02 Jul 2018

I am using Windows 7 (64) Ultimate. I downloaded windows 10. I put it onto a DVD.

If I boot from the DVD it asks for product key. The only one I have is for windows 7. This is invalid.

If I run DVD after windows 7 has started up. The only one I have is for windows 7. This is invalid.

Whats the score?

P.S. I had to create a new account because the website designers forgot to include a forgot password section.

dalchina · 02 Jul 2018

Hi if you wish to upgrade to Win 10 from Win 7 using a DVD, keeping your programs, data etc, then boot normally into Win 7, insert your Win 10 DVD, and run setup.exe from the DVD.

Note that the DVD must have been burnt from a Win 10 iso that matches the base language of your system, and be x32 or x64 as appropriate. Activation should then be automatic.

If you wish to clean install Win 10, deleting all existing Windows partitions, please see:
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First | Windows 10 Tutorials

However, note that the formal free upgrade period is long over. However, people have still been reporting success.

otuatail · 02 Jul 2018

Okay and what do I do when it asks me for a valid windows 10 product key that I never had?

dalchina · 02 Jul 2018

Which option do you wish to follow? Upgrade or clean install?

Example:
If you follow the tutorial for a clean install which I quoted above, and which you would have to follow very carefully without making assumptions, you will see:

7. Do a clean install of Windows 10 on your Windows 7/8.1 PC to replace the Windows 7/8.1 with Windows 10. Be sure to click/tap on Skip when asked to enter a product key during Windows Setup. (see screenshot below)

Here's the tutorial for upgrading:
Upgrade to Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

otuatail · 02 Jul 2018

What I did this time was not to choose the option of going on line and getting the latest updates.

Bree · 02 Jul 2018

otuatail said:

Okay and what do I do when it asks me for a valid windows 10 product key that I never had?

dalchina said:

Which option do you wish to follow? Upgrade or clean install?
...Here's the tutorial for upgrading:
Upgrade to Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

If you choose to upgrade an existing activated Windows 10 Ultimate you will upgrade to Windows 10 Pro without being asked for a key and it will activate automatically. If you are still being asked for a key you should read the upgrade tutorial again and make sure you are following the steps carefully.

NavyLCDR · 02 Jul 2018

In your Windows 7, open a Command Prompt with Administrator privileges. Run:
slmgr /dlv

What is the result? There is no private information in the result, you can post an entire screenshot of it:

otuatail · 03 Jul 2018

The problem seems to have been the first choice. Go on line to get the latest updates. The free upgrade expired in 2016. This makes Microsoft believe this is not a free upgrade and requires a product key.

AddRAM · 03 Jul 2018

Yes you can clean install W10 and use your current W7 key to activate it.

But it sounds like you have a bogus W7 Ultimate key.

How did you obtain the W7 Ultimate key ?

Bree · 03 Jul 2018

Do you have Windows 7 Ultimate installed? Does it say that it's activated? If so, then you should be able to run Setup to upgrade it to Windows 10 and you won't be asked for a key.

Likewise, a valid Windows 7/8/8.1 key can be used in a clean install of Windows 10 and it will activate. A few weeks ago I did a clean install of W10 on a W8.1 machine that had never been upgraded and it activated without a problem.

Sounds like, as AddRAM says, your key may not be entirely 'genuine'. Got it cheap off eBay?