Windows 10: How to install 10 without installing 7 (OEM), then 8 pro, then 10?

I have a mac and use bootcamp for windows.

How do I install windows 10 without first installing an OEM/system builders version of windows 7 home (OEM disk), then upgrading it to windows 8 pro (via an upgrade disk), and then installing windows 10?

I need to install 8 pro before 10 so that I get windows 10 pro.

Is there a way to just go straight to 10?

All of my software is genuine if that makes a difference.

Serious thanks for all help!

:)

 

Windows 10 and 7 Pro OEM activation

Hi,

From what I understand the Win 10 Pro OEM key can be used to activate Win 7 Pro OEM. Bascially I have a request to build a PC with Win 7 Pro, as this is need for the software used by the business. I have run out of copies
of Win 7 Pro OEM.

I've tried using a Win 10 Pro OEM key for a Win 7 Pro OEM activation, but it's not working, tells me the key is not valid. Am I suppose to install Win 10 pro OEM, activate it, and then install Win 7 pro OEM, and activate
with the same key. I'm still getting orders for PCs with Win 7 Pro, and finally run out of copies.

What is the correct procedure to activate an Win 7 Pro OEM install with a Win 10 Pro OEM key?

Thanks

 

Mac Dual Boot To Windows 10

Just last night I used Windows 8 "Retail" NOT OEM key to install Windows 10 Pro on MacBook Pro and got it activated without any issues.

 

You can install 10 direct and activate it with your 7 key. Just download 10 ISO from Tech Bench (it contains home and Pro) and put it on USB key. You can then boot from that and install the home version.

Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums

Download bootcamp drivers (version 6) and put them on a separate USB key, once 10 is installed you can install them.

You will find right click doesn't work until you install bootcamp drivers so you may find it useful to remember that you can use the keyboard shortcut Shift + F10 to do right click until they are installed.

 

Hi Ix07, thanks heaps for the help!

Just a few questions:

1. If I use my win 7 key (which is the home edition) will get win 10 home or can I still get 10 pro? I have a win 8 pro upgrade disk, so If I install win 10 from that (and go through the tedious process above) I will get win 10 pro. I must also mention that I do not have any copy of windows om my mac at this time, so copying the "GenuineTicket.xml file" will not work unfortunately.

2. Do I have to use the ISO from tech branch (the link you provided) or can I just download the ISO available from microsoft on their website?

Thanks again for the help!

 

You are better off with the ISO from Techbench - as it contains an Install.wim file..

When install windows 10 (10586) you are going to want to use a PRO compatible key

Athough you would first have to install a prior pro version on Mac - to get free 10 upgrade

 

If you only have a 7 home key you can only install 10 home. Having the 8 Pro disk isn't enough - you'd need an 8 pro key to activate 8 Pro (or 10 Pro). If the only key you have is 7 home then you must install 10 home.

You shouldn't need to install 7 or 8 at all (since the November release of Windows 10 you can normally activate direct with any 7 or 8 key). You can use bootcamp assistant to shrink OSX partition and make space for Windows. Then boot from USB (press alt key when starting mac) and install 10 direct. When asked during installation enter your 7 home key - that should work.

Alternatively you could install Windows 7 through bootcamp and activate it (this might be easier as bootcamp assistant on your Mac might not let you make a bootable USB with a 10 ISO). Get the GenuineTicket.xml file as described in the tutorial above, save it and then just clean install 10. There is no need to install the 450 Windows 7 updates.

 

Thanks for the help Kyhi

but that leaves me with the same problem that I originally had, which is that I have to install the win 7 iso (to get a full legit copy of windows), then install the win 8 pro upgrade (to ensure I can get win 10 pro), and then install win 10 pro.

and because I have a mac I need to install bootcamp drivers after every step (so I can connect to the internet and activate), so it looks like this:

install win 7 (4 hours) -> install bootcamp drivers (1.5 hours) -> install win 8 (3 hours) -> install bootcamp drivers (1.5 hours) -> install win 10 (3 hours) -> install bootcamp drivers (1.5 hours).

I've also been having problems with win 10 since it was released, so I have had to endure that painful process about 3 times before.

I am just trying to find a way to avoid that mess and just go straight to 10.

 

Installing bootcamp drivers takes me about 10 minutes not an hour and a half (that sounds painful) but note that for me when installing them on 10 it hangs indefinitely installing realtec driver - you need to cancel it through task manager as described here boot camp installation hangs at realtek audio s... | Apple Support Communities

 

What Retail Versions of Windows OS do you have ??

Also if you have already installed Windows 10 Pro on that Mac before - then you can clean install windows 10 (10586)
when asked to input a product key - just SKIP that process..