Installing Windows 10 on a new computer?

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  1. Posts : 225
    Windows 10
       #1

    Installing Windows 10 on a new computer?


    I am changing my computer in the next few days and want to install Windows 10 on it. I am currently running W10 on my existing computer upgraded from one of my Windows 7 Retail keys. That installation will be removed.
    My question is, will W10 upgrade work again with my current W7 retail key or are even the retail keys locked into hardware? Or, can I use one of the other W7 retail keys I have and get W10 from it?
    I would rather use my existing key if possible.
    Another question, I have the W10 media files on an external USB drive. If I install W10 from it, at what point does it ask for a W7/8 product key? Or does it?
    Thanks.
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  2. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #2

    The same key will work. If you install and activate 7, click on setup.exe while signed in to Windows 7 to upgrade - it will not ask you for a key.
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  3. Posts : 225
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks a lot for that.
    So, I will have to install and validate W7 and then run the W10 setup.exe from the USB drive? Is there no way of skipping the W7 step and just inputting the W7 key during the W10 install process?
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  4. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #4

    not yet, no although it is expected in th2 release rumored to be early this month. You could install preview build 10565 or later and install it with your key though.

    For now to activate 10 (non preview) you need to install 7, activate and then either upgrade or generate a GenuineTicket.xml file and then Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums

    Either way at the moment you need an activated Windows 7 to get an activated non-preview 10 on a new PC.
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  5. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #5

    imacken said:
    I am changing my computer in the next few days and want to install Windows 10 on it. I am currently running W10 on my existing computer upgraded from one of my Windows 7 Retail keys. That installation will be removed.
    My question is, will W10 upgrade work again with my current W7 retail key or are even the retail keys locked into hardware? Or, can I use one of the other W7 retail keys I have and get W10 from it?
    I would rather use my existing key if possible.
    Another question, I have the W10 media files on an external USB drive. If I install W10 from it, at what point does it ask for a W7/8 product key? Or does it?
    Thanks.
    Your question is on "installing Win 10 on a new computer".
    What Windows version is the new computer running ?
    If it is a genuine copy of Win 7 SP1 or Win 8.1, it will have its own product key.
    You can use the media file you have, plug in the USB, Right click at it, click Mount, click Setup.exe.
    It will ask you for a product key. MS said you will enter your key right then and there and continue. I never use that method myself.
    My suggestion will be to select SKIP option and continue. I did use that method and it worked.
    The choice is yours.
    If you choose my suggestion, after the installation, go to Settings, click Update & Security, click Activation, click Change product key, and enter your new computer's product key.
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  6. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #6

    billy268 said:
    It will ask you for a product key. MS said you will enter your key right then and there and continue. I never use that method myself
    My suggestion will be to select SKIP option and continue. I did use that method and it worked.
    Upgrade shouldn't ask for key - it should upgrade without asking if you are using the correct installation media. You would skip the product key on a clean install of an already licensed PC.

    billy268 said:
    after the installation, go to Settings, click Update & Security, click Activation, click Change product key, and enter your new computer's product key.
    You can't enter a 7 or 8 key here at present - only in recent preview builds.
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  7. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #7

    halasz said:
    Upgrade shouldn't ask for key - it should upgrade without asking if you are using the correct installation media. You would skip the product key on a clean install of an already licensed PC.

    You can't enter a 7 or 8 key here at present - only in recent preview builds.
    Thank you.
    I stand corrected.
    I have the Upgrade Install and Clean Install mixed up. Just got up when I posted the reply.
    My apology.
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  8. Posts : 225
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    halasz said:
    Upgrade shouldn't ask for key - it should upgrade without asking if you are using the correct installation media. You would skip the product key on a clean install of an already licensed PC.
    Thanks so much for your help guys. I probably am not making myself very clear. This install will be on a new computer with no Windows install. I would be installing clean from my W7 retail key and upgrade to W10, but am wondering if there was a way to skip the whole W7 bit which seems kind of unnecessary, mainly as it seems to go through a zillion time consuming updates before it ever reaches the W10 update!
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  9. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #9

    imacken said:
    Thanks so much for your help guys. I probably am not making myself very clear. This install will be on a new computer with no Windows install. I would be installing clean from my W7 retail key and upgrade to W10, but am wondering if there was a way to skip the whole W7 bit which seems kind of unnecessary, mainly as it seems to go through a zillion time consuming updates before it ever reaches the W10 update!
    I don't think you have a choice.
    I had the same scenario on one of my computers.
    The computer started with a Win 7 pre-installed and then I upgraded it to Win 10. One day I messed it up bad because I made a mistake on installing Linux Mint with a dual boot setup. Stupid mistake and my Win 10 partition was all messed up.
    So, I have to start fresh. Reinstall Win 7 with the Factory Default disks, installed the updates, updated to IE9 then 10, then installed SP1. It took major portion of one day.
    I then use the Media Creation Tool, downloaded the ISO and did an Upgrade Install....... Mount the ISO.... select Setup.exe.
    I did not keep anything because there really wasn't anything to keep after a reinstall of Win 7.
    Installation was time consuming but without issues.
    Activation was automatic.
    Last edited by davidhk; 01 Nov 2015 at 13:07.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 225
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thanks, that was what I was afraid of! It seems to take a whole day to do the standard W7 install, zillion updates, SP1, more updates, IE updates and then it gets round to the W10 update and we start again!
    Dont see why it's necessary.
      My Computer


 

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