Windows 10: Clean install of windows 10 preview on a computer upgraded from 8.1

Hi all,

I figure this will be an easy one, but I just wanted to double check as there seems to be a lot of 95% complete info out there lol. Basically I was using the windows 10 preview long before windows 10 dropped and have kept using it and providing feedback since. I would now like to do an erase and reinstall on the drive with just a drag and drop back up restore - so I can be sure I'm providing accurate feedback on a clean install.

I just want to make sure I'm doing it the right way and not risking this finikity update licence they issued for windows 8 users. Am I right in thinking I just download the install tool from the insider program page, wipe my drive and away I go? or might this cause problems with my update licence?

Thanks in advance

Jeff

:)

 

I installed Windows 10 Home Insider Preview from my Windows 8.1 install. Not a clean install of the preview. Will it be upgraded to the full version on the 29th?

Original Title: Window 10 Preview to Full Version

I installed Windows 10 Home Insider Preview from my Windows 8.1 install. Not a clean install of the preview. Will it be upgraded to the full version on the 29th, or will I have to go back down to 8.1 before that date to get it?

Thank You.

 

My Windows 10 computer is not activated. Help pls

I have a Dell computer. Around a month ago, I upgraded my Windows 8.1 computer to a Windows 8.1 Pro Build. I believe that could have been my problem there. Then I had it upgraded to Windows 10 Technical Preview, and upgraded to the latest version, but
it said that Windows is not activated. With me upgrading my computer from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Pro Build could be the problem? Do I need to downgrade and do a clean install? Need help.

 

First - a drag and drop back up restore is not a clean install. It is a restoration of a previously installed operating system. Second, what does you current activation screen say? Does it say it is activated with a digital license or entitlement? If it says digital license or entitlement than you are good to go to do a real clean install by booting from a Windows 10 installation USB flash drive or DVD, wiping the hard drive, and installing Windows 10 to the unallocated space.

If the Windows 10 setup asks for a product key, click the option to skip it. As long as you install the same version of Windows 10 to the same computer, it will activate automatically when it connects to the internet. If you had plain Windows 10 Home on the computer, then install plain Windows 10 Home. Do not install Single Language Edition. Do not install N edition. Do not install Pro.

 

Thanks for the speedy reply!

Well... a drag and drop is as close as they're getting lol, I'm not erasing my personal files *Shock. Basically I'll erase the drive, reinstall windows, redownload my software (not much really - office, browsers, VS, Unity, PS, Gimp, Blender) then drag my documents, media and project files back over - trying to avoid any config files. I'm also taking the opportunity to clean out my one drive and get it a bit more organised (I let myself get a bit slack between one drive and this PC *slaps wrist*)





Looking at this my activation is liked to my account so it should be all good to go right? I'll just double check I remember my password lol

Thanks again - I find the whole update activation thing a bit foggy in the minutia!

Jeff

 

When you stated drag and drop restore, I thought you meant an image of the operating system, such as restoring with Macrium Reflect free. Just talking about dragging and dropping your data files is still a clean install.