Reinstall Windows 10 on previous W7/8.1 machine.

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  1. rafikiphoto
    Posts : 122
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Reinstall Windows 10 on previous W7/8.1 machine.


    I have a Thinkpad now running Windows 10 which a Lenovo tech says needs a fresh install. After checking the BIOS OS note he says it shows Windows 8 as the original OS so to do a fresh install he will send me Win 8.1 recovery disks which I must first install after which I should upgrade the machine to W10 otherwise the W10 upgrade won't recognise the W8 activation key. Is this right? It's rather long winded. If just make a W10 installation DVD is there a way to activate it directly from my W8 key?
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  3. hotkey
    Posts : 9
    Windows 10
       New #2

    rafikiphoto said:
    After checking the BIOS OS note he says it shows Windows 8 as the original OS so to do a fresh install he will send me Win 8.1 recovery disks which I must first install after which I should upgrade the machine to W10 otherwise the W10 upgrade won't recognise the W8 activation key. Is this right?
    No.

    rafikiphoto said:
    If just make a W10 installation DVD is there a way to activate it directly from my W8 key?
    If you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key, the Windows 10 installer should automatically detect product key from UEFI firmware and you will be taken straight to the License Agreement screen. When installation is finished, Windows 10 will be activated automatically.
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  4. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #3

    Just install Windows 10, no need to go back to Windows 8 first. Windows 10 should read the Windows 8 product key in bios and not even ask you for a product key or which version you want to install.

    You might want to export your drivers first if you have hardware that Microsoft does not have drivers for directly from Windows 10 or Windows update. Create a folder on a USB flash drive (it can be the Windows 10 USB flash drive if you make a flash drive), or any USB flash drive. For example if you create a folder with the name Drivers, from a Command Prompt (Admin) [Right click start icon], enter:

    dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\Driver

    The path in red will be drive letter and folder on USB flash drive that you create.
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  6. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #4

    Windows 10 reads and uses the Windows 8.0 OEM embedded key in my laptop. As mentioned, no need to install 8 or 8.1 and upgrade.
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  7. rafikiphoto
    Posts : 122
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thank you all for the information. Just before I head off on this adventure can I ask:

    1. How can I check that there is an embedded key in the laptop. It's a Thinkpad 540p?

    2. Are there instructions on here to guide me making the W10 installation DVD? I have found pointers on the web but I trust this forum more!
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  8. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #6

    This utility will show if there is an embedded key and what version its for, https://www.tenforums.com/software-ap...7-showkey.html
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  9. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #7

    The Media Creation Tool will create install media for you, https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/soft...load/windows10 Use the Download Tool Now option.
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  10. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #8

    Installation Tutorials are here, https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/?...%20and%20Setup
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  12. rafikiphoto
    Posts : 122
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Wow. Thank you all so much.
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  13. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #10

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