Windows 10: How to do a fresh install of windows 10?

So i currently have 8.1 and i would like to reformat my Partition and do a clean install of windows 10. I have downloaded the windows 10 CD boot from here Windows 10 i have windows 8.1 home so i downloaded windows 10 home. And when i was doing the installation. it was asking me for my Product key. I typed in my Product key but it said " it did not recognize my Product key" So i quit the installation. I was wondering why it did not recognize my product key when we have the upgrade for free.


Is there any other way to do a fresh install on windows 10? because i really would like to reformat my main partition and then do the installation of windows 10

:)

 

How do i do a fresh install of Windows 10?

Will it ask me for a product key?

 

How do i do a fresh install of Windows 10?

The fastest way to get the upgrade is to download the ISO

The Official Final Windows 10 download is now available

Use the download tool to create ISO media to update your windows.

Download Windows 10

Use Download Tool Now (32bit version)

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=616935

Use Download Tool Now (64bit version)

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=616936

 

Hello, and welcome to Ten Forums.

When you upgrade with the free reserved copy from the GWX app on an activated Windows 7 or 8.1 PC, Windows 10 has a generic key included that will activate it.

If you clean or upgrade install Windows 10 without doing the above first, Windows 10 will not be activated.


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.

 

This is what i did. I created a DVD boot and when i was in windows i up in the CD and ran the setup exe. Then i clicked on DON't save any files because i already had a partition that had my backup files. then i upgraded. I saw that it still created a Windows old file and it was activated. So i rebooted the computer and RAN the CD boot. I reformatted and deleted all the extra partitions and saved my backup partition and i installed windows in boot partition and once installed i logged into my account and it was activated. everything went smoothly

 

Given Brink's credentials above I have to take what is said as fact.

Glad I ran into this thread and am sending a copy to my gaming buddies who have yet to upgrade.

A number of us were and are considering doing a full clean install from get go.
Or, upgrading from Win 7 game systems.
IF we had done as we expected, a clean DVD boot install method, we'd be screwed and unable to validate our installs.
Which I then had expected to simply enter my Win 7 registration code in to have a legit Win 10 copy.

I wonder how many failed installations there are out there as a lack of this understanding as Bink has posted? A bunch I suspect.

Microsoft did not make it obvious to the world the exact needed procedure during all my testing of pre-release and
are doing well at hiding this critical information.

Thank you Bink for saving me grief in future when I do decide to upgrade.