Windows 10: Clean install after upgrade Windows NOT activating

Look on your screenshot at end of Pro next to the l is a capital N

 

All the 'N' version is that it comes without the media package and IE I think....it's still Windows 10 pro....
Will phone MS later and see if they can help....if not will have to start again.....but honestly don't remember having a choice of the 'N' version when doing the in situ upgrade from Windows 7 originally....which means Windows 10N can NEVER be used as a clean install after an upgrade

Following on from this Leeds me to another question.....I want to install Windows 10 on a fairly old PC, but intend doing a clean install as it currently has Vista on it....I have bought a Windows 7 PRO licence.. ( NOT 'N' )
So can I do a clean install of Windows 10 Pro FULL using the Windows 7 product key I have just bought.....or heaven forbid do I need to buy a Windows 7 Pro 'N' licence ??? the 'N' version is apparenlty better for older PC's
thanks

 

The N and non N versions each use different Product codes. They are not interchangeable. Your digital entitlement is for the non N version, that's why your N version won't activate. You will have to reinstall the correct version. If your other Windows 7 is a non N, don't install the N version or you will be right back in the same situation you are now. The N version will not accept your regular 7 key.

 

Ok I downloaded the non 'N' version 64 bit , burnt a disk and booted from it...

instead ad of being offered an install I get a window with no device drivers were found make sure etc etc etc...
pis this to do with bios settings for boot..?

 

DVD or USB thumb drive? If thumb drive, make sure its plugged into a USB 2 port, not a USB 3 port.

 

The error was with a DVD, trying USB pen now, seems to be working....

 

I had a feeling it was DVD. I use thumb drives myself, the installs go a lot faster.

 

Yes but why so much trouble with the DVD ? why was I getting that error, didn't get it when installing 10-N from a DVD curiously enough
A pen is better though, as you say faster and can hold 32 &. 64 bit versions...using an 8gb pen so should be ok.....

Have been told that using the 'N' version is better for older computers.....don't know f that's true or not...
but can never use a 'N' version unless have a 7 or 8 'N' version which is unlikely.....

 

I don't know why you get that error using a DVD, only that its a common error when you do install from a DVD? I would think the driver you need is the SATA driver, unless your DVD is on IDE?

I don't think it matters, N or normal, on old hardware. N is just missing some stuff. You can't upgrade to 10 N if the qualifying OS isn't the N version. There is nothing stopping you from buying the N version stand alone though. Not as far as I know anyway.

 

OK. got it. I guess I was reading too hard.

 

So the 'N' version was the issue, installed normal Windows 10 pro and activated immediately..installed using USB boot....also clean installed Windows 10 home on my Wifes PC ( finally convinced her to move up from Vista.....) but used the DVD for that install without issues....so all swell that ends well and something else learnt...
thanks everyone

 

My experience has been (N or non N notwithstanding) that you won't be able to activate 10 with a 7 key unless 7 has been previously installed.

 

You can do a clean install on ANY system, whatever the OS, so long as you have a valid Windows 7,8 or 8.1 product key, that has not previously been used for a Windows 10 upgrade.....didn't used to be this way, but MS changed the rules, for the better, unbelievably.....just did clean install on a PC with Vista with a Windows 7 product key...although it can be added later with a CMD line...

 

As long as it's not a Windows 7 OEM-SLP key, it should be doable. Some people have used a key finder on the an installed Windows 7 OS and got that key. Those keys are refused if entered manually on a clean install. You can upgrade from an OS using them, but not clean install with them. To clean install 10 with a Windows 7 key it needs to be Retail or OEM-COA (from the COA sticker on an OEM PC).

 

Didnt quite realise that, but suppose it stops multiple installs with the same key....don't know,
thanks for the info