Windows 10: Fresh Install of Windows 10 Pro

I received my free upgrade to Windows 10 Home from Windows 8.1. I am highly considering purchasing an upgrade key for Windows 10 Pro for $99. My question is: If I were do perform that upgrade, and later on in the future I have to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows, will I be able to use that Win10 Pro key to perform the fresh install, or would I need to install Windows 10 Home first, then upgrade?

:)

 

Windows 10 Pro Blue Screen

I installed Windows 10 Pro using the "Media Creation Tool" on an existing Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center. After several days of trouble free Windows 10 Pro operation I started getting a "Blue Screen" with the following error message "KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT
HANDLED (cng.sys)".

Is there anything I can do other than a repair or fresh install to correct it?

My experience is to fresh install Windows 10 Pro to get rid of "Blue Screen" errors.

Can I make a fresh install of Windows 10 Pro without having to go back through the thread of installs I made to get to this point (i.e. Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center to Windows 10 Pro)?

The Original Equipment Manufacturer makes it difficult to obtain the original Windows 8.1 Product Key that came with the computer but I have the Windows 10 Pro with Media Center upgrade Product Key, I am worried that the upgrade Product Key will not be enough
to make a fresh install.

Please recommend the best path forward. Thanks.

 

Fresh install of windows 10 pro for workstation

Please see:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/windows-10-pro...

 

I don`t see why you would have to start all over again, you should just be able to do clean installs and Windows 10 Pro should auto activate.

Others please correct me if I`m wrong.

Why not just make disk images so you don`t have to re install ?

 

You could upgrade 8.1 Home to 8.1 Pro, then perform the free in-place free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. Once 10 Pro is upgraded/installed and activated you are all set and will never have to perform a clean install of 8.1 again. From then on when using that PC you can perform a clean install of Windows 10 Pro when ever you want using Windows 10 Pro ISO media (DVD or USB Flash drive). No key codes will be needed for clean install of 10 Pro since Microsoft has stored an Activated unique id for your hardware. I had no issues upgrading Windows 7 Pro then performing a clean install of Windows 10 Pro. It's sorta a hassle to have to 1st upgrade then perform a clean install but what the heck, Win 10 is free*Biggrin If all this seems like a hassle then for $40 more you could just purchase Windows 10 Pro DVD and just start with a clean install. This also is a reasonable approach for you since it will save some time and avoid any of the Windows 10 upgrade issues some are experiencing.

Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit - Newegg.com

 

Pro version adds these features

 

I`m sure MickD is correct and you should be able to clean install Windows 10 Pro directly and it should auto activate, but your question should really be answered by Microsoft themself for the only definitive answer.

Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums

 

I didn't state, since it's well known now he can't, he would be able to perform a clean install directly. He will be able to perform clean install of Windows 10 via 1 of 2 methods. 1. After upgrading to Windows 10 he then will be able to perform a clean install. 2. Since he's considering upgrading to Windows 10 Pro he can perform a clean install without upgrading by purchasing the Windows 10 Pro DVD OEM full version.