Windows 10: (clean) Win10 Free Upgrade: Multiple systems?

We have ~40 Windows 8.1 Pro OEM workstations, which should qualify for the free upgrade to Windows 10.

However, I do not wish to do an upgrade. I would much rather re-image their disks. (All user data is stored in roaming profiles, and we have software to automate installing the few user applications we use.)

So, from what I've read, our only option is this:
1) Install the Win10 upgrade on an individual workstation (which will then register it in whatever database MS is using to keep track of this stuff)
2) Create restoration media for that workstation
3) Use said restoration media on that workstation to do a clean-install
4) Re-install applications / join domain / etc
5) Repeate steps 1-4 for each and every workstation

That last bit is where I'm getting hung up. Requiring me to do an upgrade install on a workstation just to build restore media for that workstation, and do this for each and every workstation... even with only 40 workstations, that gets time consuming, fast.

Ideally, what I'd like to be able to do is: Get a clean install of Windows 10 on one system, image the disk to the other workstations, and then change their product keys and SIDs as necessary. However, if my understanding of the upgrade options MS has handed us is correct, this is not an option.

Does anyone have an alternative that would allow us to utilize the free upgrade path, and do a clean-install, without having to jump through quite so many hoops?

Thanks

:)

 

New SSD; easiest way to move OS over?

Thanks - If I clean install Win7 can I still upgrade to Win10? As I used the free upgrade and obviously it's not free anymore.

 

Is it possible to switch architecture from 32 to 64?

I have Win8.1 32 bit. Can I upgrade to win 10 64 bit?

I know that the free upgrade does not support switching architectures, but answers in this forum go on to say that switching architectures is supported from a custom install when booted from install media. What does this mean exactly?

I have seen it clarified that the free upgrade is not supported from a clean install ... at first. But after the initial free upgrade install (and activation), then clean install is supported.

So therefore, after the initial free update install (from win8.1 32 bit to win10 32 bit) and activation, can a clean install be done from win10 32 bit to win10 64bit using install media AND maintain the activation?

 

Steps 2 and 3 can use a generic system image. Step 1 must be done for each individual computer separately and uniquely. After the separate and unique upgrade has been performed on the computer, a generic, non-activated Windows 10 image can be put on it and that Windows 10 will activate based on the information stored on Microsoft activation servers during step 1.

 

You could create a generic image with the programs you want installed and use that for steps 2,3,4 Windows 10 Image - Customize in Audit Mode with Sysprep - Windows 10 Forums to save installing programs multiple times.