I suggest when attempting to reinstall Win 10 that you create a clean copy on another PC using the MS media creation tool.
I have difficulty imagining what you would get from Amazon as Win 10 with no supposed license. I wouldn't put much trust in that and you say you are having difficulty with it.
One way is to reinstall using the dell recovery media if - the recov media is win7 , then do the gatherosstate dance.
Hello @LeeRex,
There might be some useful information below that might help . . .
This is the most simplest and straightforward method to directlyUpgradeto Win 10WITHOUThaving toUpgradeFIRST.
This method uses theClean Installprocess andGatherOSStatefor theLicenseinformation.
IMPORTANT:
- For
GatherOSStateto work correctly, the OSMUSTbeActivated.Copythegatherosstate.exefile to theDesktop.- Right-click the file and select
Run as Administrator[ It creates a file namedGenuineTicket.xml].Copythe file to aUSB<<< CRITICAL >>>.- During the installation, do
NOTcheck forWindows Update.- During the installation, do
NOTconnect to theInternet.- When asked for the
Product Key, ckickSKIP.- Once the installation is complete,
CopytheGenuineTicket.xmlfrom theUSBto . . .
Code:C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ClipSVC\GenuineTicketRestart.- Check the
Activationstatus.
GatherOSState:
> GatherOSState.exe Provides Win10 License Info for Clean Install - Win10Guru
Upgrade Overview:
> How to Clean Install Windows 10 Directly Without Upgrade First using GatherOSState - GHacks
Upgrade Tutorial:
> How to Directly Clean Install Windows 10 Without having to Upgrade First - TenForums
I hope this helps.
I am not sure it came with win7. Dell didn't usually supply win7 with intel 7th gen and newer. It was supplied with the optiplex 50 range which I think could use either 6th or 7th gen.
Did the alienware come with a recovery partition, and if so, is it still there?
They usually provide recovery media for 5 years via the "cloud recovery" download program
Did you try entering your service tag in the dell "cloud recovery" download tool https://www.dell.com/support/home/en...O/recoverytool
No, the only drivers available on the Dell support site for the Alienware Aurora R7 are for Windows 10.
Being supplied with Dell OEM Win10, then the Win10 key will be embedded in the bios firmware. A clean install with Win10 install media downloaded from Microsoft will find and use this key.
An alternative source for downloading recovery ISOs direct Dell is the Heidoc tool. That shows the only ISO available for the Alienware Aurora R7 is for Win10 Pro x64
On Ballance, I'd go for a clean install with the MS install media, avoiding the bloatware that comes with the OEM recovery. That's what I've done for all my Dells.
Maybe, Heidoc did offer several other W10 Pro ISOs for the R7, that was just the first example I found. I'd still prefer a clean install without all the OEM bloatware though
Depends. Vanilla win10 doesn't install easily from boot media onto the latest hp and dell machines. Probably be ok with the op machine though because it is not that new.
Another thing to remember is that many PC's from the old days were built for Win 8 but shipped with Win 7 ('cause nobody liked Win 8) - they still have Win 8 keys in the firmware. You many be one of those lucky ones.
As others have said, run ShowKeyPlus to check the firmware - if it was indeed a Win 7 PC it will have that marker.
LeeRex,
I really do think that it will help others to help you if you respond to my questions. People are currently having to shoot in the dark.
- Did it come with Windows 7 & was that activated?
- Did you upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10?
- Did you not upgrade but merely wipe your OS drive?
Denis
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