Upgrade vs Clean Install

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  1. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #51

    Wynona said:
    And that's why I normally avoid doing a clean install of my day to day OS; too many programs to be reinstalled. First I gotta write 'em all down, then do a whole house search for some that have disappeared; now why did I leave that one there? This one has to be upgraded through three or four iterations . . .

    I wonder if there's a way to bring Windows 8.1 back to a pristine condition (since I didn't do an image when it was new) before installing Windows 10 as an upgrade? Because that's the only way I'd do an upgrade over 8.1.
    Would this help? I used it when I bought my Surface Pro 3, which of course came straight from MS, un-bundled. No install media, so I did this and it was fine!

    Oops! forgot link! Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
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  2. Posts : 46
    64-bit 10240 10 Pro
       #52

    Wynona said:
    Mike, if Microsoft goes back on its promise of free upgrades to Windows 10 there would most likely be such a move from Windows to Apple and Linux that our computers would probably be swept up into the vortex! IOW, it ain't happenin'. :)

    It's a given that the free upgrade will happen. It's also a given that, again, most likely (gotta learn to qualify every statement I make) not even Microsoft knows exactly how the upgrade will work. My belief is that if they had figured out all the logistics, we'd know too and that this "guessing game" would be much less active than it is. :)
    It is my belief that MS has intentionally confused everyone. How do you do an Upgrade and a clean install MS is not going to take your key over the phone. So my question is how is MS going to verify if you have a legit Win 7 or 8 if they can't verify it through the upgrade process? I am back on Seven till the release. I have wasted way too much time on 10.
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  3. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #53

    Gary said:
    It is my belief that MS has intentionally confused everyone. How do you do an Upgrade and a clean install MS is not going to take your key over the phone. So my question is how is MS going to verify if you have a legit Win 7 or 8 if they can't verify it through the upgrade process? I am back on Seven till the release. I have wasted way too much time on 10.
    License?? You might/have to enter a license to perform an upgrade.
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  4. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
       #54

    CountMike said:
    For the first part, I keep all the programs I usually install in one folder and rest with all of installation files zipped in another folder on a HDD and on another for backup.
    I have some that only come on DVD/CD, which I don't have on my hard drive. Those are the ones I have to track down. I have a full version of Expression Studio and thought it was on the shelf where I keep all my programs. Can't remember where I found it, but it was nowhere near where it should have been.
    -
    CountMike said:
    For the second part, yes you can use any windows ISO to do repair installation of clan windows. Check tutorial in 8forums.
    Now why didn't I think of that!? :)
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  5. Posts : 46
    64-bit 10240 10 Pro
       #55

    BunnyJ said:
    License?? You might/have to enter a license to perform an upgrade.
    Yes but how are they to verify it, You can enter any key....
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  6. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 10 Pro (32-bit) 16299.15
       #56

    Gary said:
    Yes but how are they to verify it, You can enter any key....
    Maybe you will have to request a new key. When Windows 8 came out you could put in a Windows 7 product key to a website and receive a key in return which gave you a discount off Windows 8. No reason why they couldn't do that with Windows 10.
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  7. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #57

    Wynona said:
    I have some that only come on DVD/CD, which I don't have on my hard drive. Those are the ones I have to track down. I have a full version of Expression Studio and thought it was on the shelf where I keep all my programs. Can't remember where I found it, but it was nowhere near where it should have been.
    -


    Now why didn't I think of that!? :)
    You can use ImgBurn to go backward, DVD ---> HD iso file. I just tested it, took about 5 minutes. Mounted from HD fine and looks fine.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
       #58

    Gary said:
    It is my belief that MS has intentionally confused everyone. How do you do an Upgrade and a clean install MS is not going to take your key over the phone. So my question is how is MS going to verify if you have a legit Win 7 or 8 if they can't verify it through the upgrade process? I am back on Seven till the release. I have wasted way too much time on 10.
    Gary, I've installed so many upgrades in my life that I could do it with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind me. Of course, I cannot remember the exact verbiage, so I'll improvise. More interesting that way . . . :)

    My first clean install with upgrade media went something like this . . . An upgrade from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95.

    1. Insert CD (Windows was smaller back then) with Windows 95 Upgrade on it. Start Installation; Windows says I need to see your CD with Windows 3.1 on it; insert the Windows 3.1 CD; Windows says, OK, I see you're legal, take this one out and put the Upgrade back in . . . whirr, gimme your product key, questions, whirr, more questions until Installation is complete.

    2. Then there was the "partial install" You put the CD of the old OS into the drive, let it get to a certain point of installation, then stopped it. Reboot the PC, put in the Upgrade CD, Windows checks to see if the prior OS is there; what it needs to see is, so it goes on to complete installation.

    3. There are instructions on the Vista, Seven, Eight, Ten Forums on how to clean install from an Upgrade DVD (by this time).

    4. Now we have the ability to create an ISO from the Install.ESD file.

    What I've shared here are memories from the Stone Age of Windows, so don't hold me to the exact method of installation.

    The point is that when the time comes, Microsoft will have figured out exactly how we'll be able to upgrade from our qualifying OS to Windows 10 and we'll be instructed accordingly.

    As many have said, there should be installation DVDs available. The simplest method of doing a clean install would be that during installation, when the product key is requested, you would enter the product key of your qualifying OS; thus, rendering it useless for re-installation on another computer. Will Microsoft do that? Who knows?
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  9. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
       #59

    Gary said:
    Yes but how are they to verify it, You can enter any key....
    No, you can't, Gary; try entering "any product key" to an installation of Windows 7. It won't work. You will be told to purchase a key or call Microsoft. If you call Microsoft, they will tell you that's not a legitimate key. How they know is something I haven't a clue about, but they do know.

    Secondly, if you've removed Windows 7 from your computer and want to put it onto another computer, and you tell them that's what you've done, most likely, you'll be given a few gazillion numbers to enter, which will activate Windows on the new computer. and you're good to go. The license on the old computer is no longer valid.
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  10. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #60

    Wynona said:
    No, you can't, Gary; try entering "any product key" to an installation of Windows 7. It won't work. You will be told to purchase a key or call Microsoft. If you call Microsoft, they will tell you that's not a legitimate key. How they know is something I haven't a clue about, but they do know.

    Secondly, if you've removed Windows 7 from your computer and want to put it onto another computer, and you tell them that's what you've done, most likely, you'll be given a few gazillion numbers to enter, which will activate Windows on the new computer. and you're good to go. The license on the old computer is no longer valid.
    Macrium got it simple and quick. If you plan to change boxes and/or OS, they have an option in the software to "remove license key". Take it off old, put it on new! Done.
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