Windows 10: Clean Install Windows 10

Hi I need some help. I reformatted my computer and did a clean install of Windows 10 on my original Windows 7 computer. It now won't recognize my Windows 7 product key. What should I do?

:)

 

Windows 10 Reset (clean OS install + disk clean) - "There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made"

Hi Alastair,

We understand that you are facing performance issue and are unable to reset your computer. Just to verify, what version of Windows operating system did you try to reinstall?

For help to get this issue fixed, we recommend that you refer to Recovery options in Windows 10
, then follow the steps provided under the Use installation media to restore or reset your PC as this the most effective way to restore your Windows 10.

Please let us know if the link helps you to resolve the problem.

 

Windows 10 Reset (clean OS install + disk clean) - "There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made"

Hi there

Thanks for clarifying.

I want to reinstall Windows 10 AND also make sure that the disk is fully cleaned (as I am about to sell the PC).

Based on your reply, I downloaded the fresh install tool and proceeded - it worked fine and I have a clean install of Windows 10 now.

However, I don't think this will have fully cleaned the files from the disk. It only took 1 hour or so to do the clean install so I think it probably just deleted the file locations register not the files themselves.

How do I make sure the hard disk has had all the files deleted from it?

Thanks for your further help.

 

Hello ducky, and welcome to Ten Forums.

If you didn't do this below first, then that would be why it's not activating. *Sad

Can I reinstall Windows 10 on my computer after upgrading with free upgrade?

Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the USB drive or DVD, and use that to upgrade your device or reinstall after you’ve upgraded.

 

Use the automated phone option when trying to activate windows. It will take about five minutes to activate your computer.

 

Install Windows 7 again. Make sure it is activated. You do not need to install any Windows Updates for Windows 7. Upgrade the existing Windows 7 to Windows 10 using the "Upgrade this PC now" option of the Windows 10 Media Creation tool:
Windows 10

or you can make a USB or DVD with the Media Creation Tool and run setup.exe from it - from within Windows 7.

Make sure the Windows 10 upgrade is activated. Then, and only then, can you do a clean install of Windows 10.

 

I doubt that Microsoft will be so accommodating. I'd bet they'll insist on going back to the qualifying OS and installing the free upgrade as an upgrade.

I'd be interested if that turns out to be false.