Windows 10: Activation query after clean install

A friend's Asus 8.1 laptop was stuck in an automatic repair loop so I suggested that he upgrade to Windows 10.

Because he was unable to access his system, I opted for a clean install and I created a bootable Win 10 usb on another pc. I used this usb to insall Win 10 on his machine, skipping any requests to activate.

I was under the impression that Win 10 would automatically activate on installation. I'm not sure he ever signed up for the free upgrade offer before Win 8 on his machine decided to implode.

Any advice as to what steps I should take now would be appreciated - thanks.

:)

 

Clean install query

I’ve been trying to update my Windows 7 install to Windows 10 since it was released but during the install I keep getting error C1900101 – 40017. I’m now at the point where I’m thinking about booting from the Windows 10 DVD and performing a clean install
rather than upgrading Windows 7.



My question is if I perform a clean install by wiping Windows 7 rather than updating it am I going to have issues activing it once its installed? Will the activation servers just see a clean install and think it’s a new computer and try and get me to purchase
a new licence?





Thanks

 

Clean install query

Yes you will have problems activating it., and would have to purchase a license

in order to get Windows 10 free you must first UPGRADE an activated, genuine, running copy of windows 7 (or 8, 8.1)

the obvious thing to suggest is to uninstall you antivirus software, using the removal tool from the supplier.

and check that you have the latest drivers, specifically for you graphics card. Before upgrading.

If you are considering a clean install, do a clean install of Windows 7, make sure that it has activated then upgrade to 10 once activated you can if you want do a clean install of windows 10

 

You have to perform an upgrade from the original OS to Win10 and get it to activate before you can perform a clean instillation and have it activate. You're going to have to reinstall 8.1 and then upgrade to 10, get it to activate and then you can perform a clean instillation for the automatic activation to work.

 

It does not matter, if your friend made a reservation for Windows 10 or if he did not. However, what does matter is that he once does an actual upgrade of his Windows 8 installation. Directly doing a clean install will lead to a non-activated system. Instead, he must upgrade Windows 8, e.g. using the Get Windows 10 app. Once that process has finished, he will have an activated Windows 10 and he will also be able to do a clean install, which will afterwards be activated.

 

Ok thanks both for your replies. So looks like I'm going to have to downgrade back to Win 8 and then go through the whole process again (but properly this time).

 

You're welcome.

Jeff

 

Yes, I think there is no way around that.