Will windows 10 update provide a product key for clean install?

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  1. Posts : 490
    Windows 10 Pro
       #51

    NavyLCDR said:
    You did a clean install of Windows 10 to a separate partition. In order to make that an UPGRADE, which is what was promised, why not just install a second install of Windows 8.1 to the separate partition, then UPGRADE that to Windows 10?
    If activated.
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  2. Posts : 10
    Windows 10
       #52

    NavyLCDR said:
    You did a clean install of Windows 10 to a separate partition. In order to make that an UPGRADE, which is what was promised, why not just install a second install of Windows 8.1 to the separate partition, then UPGRADE that to Windows 10?
    I understand your points regards the absolute definition of an Upgrade. That is to replace a previous version with a newer version. But is it not in Microsoft's bigger agenda to encourage all those eligible to switch over to Windows 10.

    To this regard that is exactly what I have done. Eventually as I add and test my Windows 8.1 apps into my Windows 10 install I will probably reach a point when I will no longer use the previous version and will then (my choice)merge the 2 partitions back to one.

    Not sure by creating a 3rd partition for a 2nd install to Windows 8.1 would work as its an OEM version supplied with my machine. The OEM 8.1 is on a recovery partition so might complicate matters.
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  3. Posts : 490
    Windows 10 Pro
       #53

    [QUOTE=Miklos;410340]I understand your points regards the absolute definition of an Upgrade. That is to replace a previous version with a newer version. But is it not in Microsoft's bigger agenda to encourage all those eligible to switch over to Windows 10.

    To this regard that is exactly what I have done. Eventually as I add and test my Windows 8.1 apps into my Windows 10 install I will probably reach a point when I will no longer use the previous version and will then (my choice)merge the 2 partitions back to one.

    Not sure by creating a 3rd partition for a 2nd install to Windows 8.1 would work as its an OEM version supplied with my machine. The OEM 8.1 is on a recovery partition so might complicate matters.[/QUOTE/]

    You cannot choose the drive on which the recovery partition or the manufacturer's recovery disks will reinstall Windows. It will be Drive 0, partition 0. That is hard-wired. Manufacturer's no longer simply supply a Windows installation disk. That means any new installation of Windows will be from a standard Windows installation disk such as can be created using the Media Creation Tool for Windows 8.1 at Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
    . You would still need a retail product key, of course.
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  4. Posts : 10
    Windows 10
       #54

    Not sure by creating a 3rd partition for a 2nd install to Windows 8.1 would work as its an OEM version supplied with my machine. The OEM 8.1 is on a recovery partition so might complicate matters.[/QUOTE/]

    You cannot choose the drive on which the recovery partition or the manufacturer's recovery disks will reinstall Windows. It will be Drive 0, partition 0. That is hard-wired. Manufacturer's no longer simply supply a Windows installation disk. That means any new installation of Windows will be from a standard Windows installation disk such as can be created using the Media Creation Tool for Windows 8.1 at Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
    . You would still need a retail product key, of course.[/QUOTE]

    OK:-so that's a non starter for me. Thanks for advice.
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  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #55

    Cbarnhorst said:
    You would still need a retail product key, of course.
    No, you don't.
    Download Windows 8.1 Retail and OEM .iso | The Unofficial Windows 10 Reinstallation Guide

    The tool itself does not require entry of a product key to download the installation media. The Windows 8.1 with Update 1 “Edition” .iso will automatically input OEM UEFI/BIOS Embedded System Locked Preinstallation Windows 8.0 “Edition” and Windows 8.1 “Edition” keys. Product activation will occur automatically upon first connection to the internet. There is thus no longer any need to use a third party utility to obtain your product key.

    Double click the mediacreationtool
    And if Miklos doesn't want to do a new install of Windows 8.1 in order to upgrade - then create an image of the current Windows 8.1 using Macrium Reflect Free, upgrade the existing Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. Make sure the Windows 10 is activated on that computer, then restore the Windows 8.1 image.

    The way that I would do it is - create the new partition where you want clean Windows 10. Format that partition to NTFS. Use Macrium reflect free to create an image of the Windows 8.1 and save the image file to the newly formatted partition. Upgrade the Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. Use Macrium Reflect Free to restore the image stored on the new partition back to the original partition. Do the clean install to the partition where the image file was stored to. All done with the single existing hard drive.
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  6. Posts : 30
    Windows 10
       #56

    I haven't read any of the comments. I just wanted to say my product key is now different than the one I used to install 8. I wrote both down, so I don't know if it will work for an install. However... The way to do a fresh install is easy if you're running 8. The Key is on the motherboard. Just install 10, skip putting the key in both times it asks and after the install and some updates, the key will be activated on it's own. You literally do nothing, just a fresh install, ignore entering the key, and you'll be fine (as long as you're using 8 and the key is in the MB)
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  7. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #57

    Heretikos said:
    I haven't read any of the comments. I just wanted to say my product key is now different than the one I used to install 8. I wrote both down, so I don't know if it will work for an install. However... The way to do a fresh install is easy if you're running 8. The Key is on the motherboard. Just install 10, skip putting the key in both times it asks and after the install and some updates, the key will be activated on it's own. You literally do nothing, just a fresh install, ignore entering the key, and you'll be fine (as long as you're using 8 and the key is in the MB)
    I'm assuming you meant just install 8/8.1 there?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 30
    Windows 10
       #58

    vgchat said:
    For short term, using the hardware as Unique Identifier is ok. For long term, it's going to fall flat on it's face as people upgrade their rigs with new hdds/gpus/mobos/cpus etc. I believe that the windows key is more than likely tied to the MS account and when someone logs in to W10, it verifies/updates the hardware ID accordingly as a second verification measure.
    No way. I don't associate any microsoft account with my windows OS, ever. Maybe in the future, it will be forced. But it doesn't work like that now.
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  9. Posts : 30
    Windows 10
       #59

    NavyLCDR said:
    I'm assuming you meant just install 8/8.1 there?
    Um, yeah.
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  10. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #60

    Heretikos said:
    No way. I don't associate any microsoft account with my windows OS, ever. Maybe in the future, it will be forced. But it doesn't work like that now.
    Correct. Windows activation is in no way associated with having a Microsoft account.

    Heretikos said:
    Um, yeah.
    Then we agree - just do a second install of Windows 8/8.1 and upgrade to Windows 10 from that.
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