I have several dell computers with Windows 7 Pro on them and need to upgrade them to 10 before support for 7 falls off in January.
Is it possible to do a clean fresh install using my original windows 7 Pro key code or must i do a upgrade which i rather not do?
You should be able to do clean and enter product key when asked.
I did one in the last 10 days, Win 7 Pro, no issues apart from one driver for HP buttons.
I would still image the Win 7 just in case something happens
Ken
Yes, it should be possible....
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First | Tutorials
...but if you upgrade the Win7 Pro to Win10 Pro the machine will get a digital licence for Win10 Pro linked to its hardware ID and stored on the Microsoft activation servers. After that you can clean install Win10 Pro without entering a key, it will activate automatically from the digital licence. That is probably the most reliable way.
As Ken says, make a system image first before you try. Macrium Reflect Free is most often recommended for that.
not following Bree.
I did a clean install and entered key, Win 7 Pro. I too received a digital license which I must assume is linked to hardware.
Where can I download a install for the clean install of windows 10Pro for a usb stick ?
Here ya gojust use the Download Tool and follow the steps.
You can also just download the Iso file and create any type of installer you want.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Clean Install Windows 10
As these are Windows 7 machines, it is probably better to use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable USB to install Windows 10 rather than an ISO. Win7 cannot natively mount an ISO.Here ya go
You can also just download the Iso file and create any type of installer you want.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Clean Install Windows 10
A clean install can be done any time without a product key once an upgrade places the license on the server.
When you considered the time for reinstalling drivers, applications, bookmarks, etc., were there significant partition,or other issues?
You did say...
I was just pointing out that as the OP has...
...they would need 3rd-party software to make a usb from the ISO under Win7, either that or at least one machine already on Win10. If the W7 machines have a DVD drive then it would be OK, Win7 can burn a DVD. But if they only have a usb socket available on the W7 machines then the most convenient way to upgrade or clean install would be to make the usb.
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