Windows XP to Windows 10 for Free
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Windows XP to Windows 10 for Free
I just rehabed a nice HP desktop that has Windows XP on it. Of course, I would like to uprade it to Windows 10. I don't care about the current apps or data on the machine, so I would do a clean install. Can you suggest the best (free) method for upgrading/installing Windows 10. I have a few Windows 7 keys from other machines if that would help. Suggestions.
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any FREE upgrade to windows 10 would have to be from a windows 7 OS (product key) or better
XP and Vista not included as part of FREE upgrade
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You may find this worth reading:
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums
You can activate a clean install of Win 10 on a PC using a Win 7 key, but it requires that Win 7 key was previously used to activate Win 7 on the same hardware.
I'd guess that a Win 7 key from one of your "other machines" would be of no use, unless you could actually use it to activate Win 7 on the PC.
The least expensive Win 10 license I know of is an OEM (system builder) one. Those are intended for resale, but as far as I know, there is no enforcement of that. Home is $100 US, and Pro is $140.
There may be less expensive but legit ways of acquiring the Win 10 license, but I know of none. I suggest not buying a key on eBay. In the past, people have sold things like MSDN keys, which may be blocked at some time.
Another option is to join the Insider program. It's free, but the test versions have expiration dates. You could use the PC indefinitely, at the cost of having to install newer insider builds at intervals.
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You can activate a clean install of Win 10 on a PC using a Win 7 key, but it requires that Win 7 key was previously used to activate Win 7 on the same hardware.
I'd guess that a Win 7 key from one of your "other machines" would be of no use, unless you could actually use it to activate Win 7 on the PC.
Agreed. Unless one of your "other W7 keys" is a Retail key, it won't work, as OEM keys are not transferable.
Another option is to join the Insider program. It's free, but the test versions have expiration dates. You could use the PC indefinitely, at the cost of having to install newer insider builds at intervals.
That's also an option.
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Impossible upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 10. Even Windows Vista also can not.
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Agreed. Unless one of your "other W7 keys" is a Retail key, it won't work, as OEM keys are not transferable
That's also an option.
Re joing Insider Program - you can no longer join and activate it without a qualifying licence. You can run it unactivated, and if on Fast Ring, it updates so frequently now, the li ence may never get old enough to nag you for a licence.
However, sooner or later, a build will probably cause issues as they are less stable.
Joining the Slow Ring would be better but no real advantage over release version as it will start to nag for a licence after 30 days eventually ceasing to work.
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An OEM COA key can be used on a different PC (probably not EULA compliant tho' but then hey, MS should enforce these things) - just saying...
OT:
@cereberus - you and I are the only ones that spell "licence" that way - no offence (yup, that's how we roll) to our buds across the pond and elsewhere 
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An OEM COA key can be used on a different PC (
probably not EULA compliant tho' but then hey, MS should enforce these things) - just saying...
OT:
@
cereberus - you and I are the only ones that spell "licence" that way - no offence (yup, that's how we roll) to our buds across the pond and elsewhere
The OP only has to try with the Windows 7 COA key(s) at the first opportunity to enter a Product key in the Windows 10 setup process.
If it is accepted, then that's OK for that device. This key works! :)
Also OT: I only spell "license" here because MS do, as opposed to "licence" in almost every other case. Anyway, I'm off to the Off Licence for a case or two now.
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Re joing Insider Program - you can no longer join and activate it without a qualifying licence. You can run it unactivated, and if on Fast Ring, it updates so frequently now, the li ence may never get old enough to nag you for a licence.
Thanks for the correction. I haven't been in the Insider program since build 10240 came out.
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An OEM COA key can be used on a different PC (probably not EULA compliant tho' but then hey, MS should enforce these things) - just saying...
OT:
@
cereberus - you and I are the only ones that spell "licence" that way - no offence (yup, that's how we roll) to our buds across the pond and elsewhere
Really? That's surprising. Not the sort of thing I've ever experimented with. My most recent OEM COA was for Vista.
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