Windows 10 Pro cannot install on New Hard Drive due to License Issue

Zappastixs said:

And FIT A NEW HARD DRIVE for installing Windows 10 Pro – that it will work without problems?

I don't see why it wouldn't. My understanding is that during a clean install, Windows 10 will see this system (with it's new disk) as a new empty PC, and simply perform the installation.

Lets wait for others to comment.

In the meantime, have you seen?
Clean Install Windows 10

It's the type of purchased key that determines whteher you are installing W10 Home or W10 Pro....please see Step #7 here:
Download Windows 10 ISO File

Zappastixs said:

I know I can change over ‘for free’ with my existing Windows 7 – but I want the Pro version of TEN.
... Around a month ago I found on Microsofts own site a Free download of Windows 10 PRO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10
But unless I’ve ended up elsewhere tonight – it is now only offering just Windows 10 (not Pro).

Welcome to Ten Forums Zappastixs.

'Just Windows 10' is fine. The ISO or USB for Windows 10 that you will download from Microsoft will contain both Home and Pro editions (and Single Language, and Education). On a machine like yours built for Windows 7 a clean install will ask for a key, and the key you give it will determine which edition it installs. Give it a Pro key and it installs Pro. Alternatively, you can skip entering a key, in which case it will ask you to choose which edition to install, but that way it won't activate until you get your new key.

It's a little different on a machine built and supplied with Windows 8 or later pre-installed. They have their key embedded in the BIOS (instead of a CoA sticker). Setup will read this key, install the edition it apples to and activate it.


Rather than waiting until you have saved up for a Pro key, why not copy your W7 Home to that new disk (Macrium Reflect Free can do that) then upgrade it to W10 and get an activated W10 Home for free? Once your PC has a digital licence for W10 Home , if you like, you can clean install W10 Home and skip entering a key. It will activate from the existing digital licence.

Then when funds permit you can upgrade your W10 Home to W10 Pro, just by changing the installed key.

Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for Free

Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro


PS: I have machines with both Home and Pro, there's really little to choose between them...

To add: I've done a few Notebooks and 3 Desktops in changing from Home to Pro using Pro keys for Win7 and Win8/8.1 leftover/unused from a program Microsoft used to have that allowed up top 10 installations of each one, no problem as the necessary software was included in the initial install. They activated just fine.

I've never known a fully installed and activated version of Windows to have an expiration, however the Insider Preview [formerly Technical Preview] versions do show an expiration date in winver [Windows key + R, type winver], both of mine are showing 7/31/2020.

That's a pretty graphic Berton.
Now I know how to access the information.
Thanks

Glad to help.