Windows 10: Clean Install/Retail Windows 7 License

I have a retail version of Win 7.
I have been using on a separate machine, the Windows Insider Technical Preview.
It is my understanding that you MUST upgrade before doing a clean install.

1) Is that true?
2) Do I get a new license number?
3) My Windows 7 instillations are brand new..is doing a clean install necessary?
4) Can I duel boot Windows 7 with 10?
5) Can I run Win 7 in Virtual Box

:)

 

TWO Basic WIndows 10 Upgrade Questions

You can find conflicting answers to these questions. It just depends on where you look and the date.

1. I have an unused Windows 7 retail license. I would simply like to do a clean Windows 10 install on a new hard drive using this license.

IS this possible without installing Windows 7, Upgrading to 10 and then Clean installing 10. Seems a bit absurd.

2. I have purchased several retail copies of Windows 7, paying significantly more for the right to move it to different hardware.

The EULA says the Windows 10 Upgrade is for LIKE versions. That would imply that a retail Windows 7 Pro license would become a retail Windows 10 Pro license with the right to move it to different computers. However, most articles insist that retail licenses
become OEM and are tied to the initial hardware. Please clarify.

 

How to upgrade from Win 8.1 to Win 10 Pro, I have a window 7 pro cd which I brought 7 years before with my old Laptop

Hi,

You need a qualifying Windows Pro License to be installed to be able to go to windows 10 Pro.

If your Windows 7 Pro is an OEM preinstalled License from the old Laptop (Dell, HP, etc) you can not use it it to do a clean install of Windows 7 Pro on the 8.1 machine as OEM Licenses can not be transferred.

But if it is a Retail windows 7 Pro License first check with the 8.1 Manufacturer to see if Windows 7 Drivers are available from them to install Windows 7 Pro correctly on the 8.1 machine by doing a clean install.

Cheers.

 

Does you win 7 have SP 1 in it ?

1) Yes, you must do a upgrade install before you can do a clean install.

2) No, it will take your win 7 key and tie it to the win10 install and you won't have to use a key again.

3) No, you don't have to do a clean install.

4) Yes, you can do a Dual Boot if you want to.

5) Yes, you can run win 7 in a VM.

 

... but you can't run the Windows 7 you used to upgrade to windows 10. As computiac said, it will take your win 7 key and tie it to the win10 install.

 

It absolutely will not tie the Windows 7 key to the Windows 10 activation. I wish people would stop spreading such false information.

SP1 is not required to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10.

 

True, but effectively that is the case. The Windows 7 you use to upgrade to Windows 10 should no longer be used. Win 10 could care less about the key but it is no longer useable to install or use Windows 7 with, unless you remove Win 10. If you do that then you can start using thyat specific copy Windows 7 with that specific key again.

 

Absolutely false. It can be used to install Windows 7 with again, in addition to Windows 10. People seem to have a very big confusion between what is not legal to do and what is not possible to do. It is not legal to use a Windows 7 key to run a Windows 7 that you upgraded to Windows 10 without uninstalling Windows 10 first - but you can do it and have an activated Windows 7 and an activated Windows 10 (just illegal).

User has 2 partitions on a hard drive, without Windows 7 installed on one. User upgrades the Windows 7 partition to Windows 10 and it activates. User reinstalls Windows 7 onto the second partition and dual boots. Windows 7 will activate with the old key - both operating systems will stay activated. Verify with slmgr /xpr. But that particular dual boot setup will be illegal.

 

I don't know where you got this information from but it's wrong.

Solved Frequently Asked Questions about the Windows 10 Free upgrade - Windows 10 Forums

What your suggesting is illegal so why would you even discuss it here?

 

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market. The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier. Features vary by device. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page. copied straight from the fine print on the bottom of Explore Windows 10 New Updates & Features | See What Windows 10 is Like

 

Thanks for this info. *Thumbs

 

Even though it was wrong?

YES, Windows 7 RTM and Windows 8 Are eligible for free upgrade offer - Windows 10 Forums





Windows 7 without SP1 can be upgraded with the ISO from the Media Creation Tool. Windows 8, without 8.1 can be upgraded with the ISO from the Media Creation Tool. Have a nice day.

 

YES, Windows 7 RTM and Windows 8 Are eligible for free upgrade offer - Windows 10 Forums

I agree, but this doesn't help at the bottom of the link below.

Windows 10 Specifications - Microsoft

3 Must be running the latest version of Windows 7 (Service Pack 1) to receive the free upgrade to Windows 10 via Windows Update.
4 Must be running the latest version of Windows 8 (Windows 8.1 Update) to receive the free upgrade to Windows 10 via Windows Update.

 

Believe what you wish , go ahead and try the upgrade without the SP1 , guaranteed if you do it through windows update it's going to download SP1 PRIOR to the upgrade....and having windows update enabled is a requirement all across the board.. its unavoidable. This very well could be why so may upgrades have been failing and this forum has seen so much traffic as of late.

 

Notice the highlighted portions.