Windows 10: In-place upgrade - XP to 10 without losing the apps

Hi there

Thanks Kari

Always thought there might be a use for VISTA one day !!!!

Cheers

BTW have you tried latest version of W2016 Server yet -- looks good -- I want to try it as a VM .

I have WINXP 64 but lack of drivers made me abandon it and use W2K3 server instead (got a licence on an Ms course years ago)

I'll fish WINXP 64 out again and have another play -- as a VM I won't have to worry too much about drivers - can use HOSTS for USB, Video etc.

(Perhaps we all have too much spare time on our hands at the moment !!!!!).

jimbo

 

Upgraded my local AD domain controller / server to Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 5 just yesterday, from Tech Preview 4. Everything works just fine, all workstations joined the domain.

Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 5 at TechNet Evaluation Center: Technet Evaluation Center

 

Hi there
Not trying to Hijack the thread - but any comments so far --create a new thread if you feel it's worth remarking on,

Cheers
jimbo

 

Not tested enough yet. All I can say is creating domain, users etc., all works without issues. Installation is a piece of cake, creating new domains in forest as well. The best Windows Server version yet.

 

Wonder why I didn't think it was possible to do this! Got a Vista to Win 10 job coming up where this technique would be a boon.

Just tried to do an in place upgrade from a Vista test machine to win 10 but got an error ...605. your PC needs to be repaired. winload.exe has expired. Might have known it would be a troubled road!

Edit:- DUH!! using expired win 10 vers.

 

@Kari, you went from Vista to W10 via win 7.

Is it possible to maintain progs, settings etc by going from Vista to Win 10 using a kosher retail DVD?

 

In this test I went from XP to 10 using all versions in between, meaning that I went from Vista to 10 via both 7 and 8. However, the 8 was only for test purposes, you can skip that; the Windows 7 is necessary as Vista can only be in-place upgraded to Windows 7, not to 8 or 10, and then 7 can be in-place upgraded to 10 skipping 8.

All compatible software, settings and your personal data will be intact whatever valid install media you use for in-place upgrade.

Short answer to your question: yes.

 

I registered here because I have now an Intel Compute Stick with W10, but am posting because I'm wondering if this method can be used to upgrade a Windows XP Pro SP3 32-bit computer to Windows 10, taking advantage of W10 free availability atm.

If the question is somehow inappropriate because MS only wants to exchange W7/W8 keys for W10, then I apologize in advance. But it seems to me this does help them out in the long run if I upgrade an XP to 10, even w/o buying a key??? Has anyone done this?

 

Hi Maxten, welcome to the Ten Forums.

Answer to your question is a clear and simple yes and no *Wink.

When using the free upgrade offer, valid until end of July, you need an underlying valid, licensed and activated Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, or a valid and legal product key for Windows 7, 8 or 8.1.

You can of course use this XP to 10 in-place upgrade method to upgrade but your Windows 10 would be unlicensed and not activated, if either Windows 7 or 8 used in between was not activated.

 

Ha! Of course! Thanks for explaining this "tiny detail"! *Wink

I would still like to hear if others have successfully made this trip, because I would like to try it so I can know BEFORE I INVEST IN A WINDOWS 10 KEY whether my XP machine's hardware is even capable of running W10.

You have helped me greatly Kari because now too I know that I don't need to rush to test this with my XP PC to beat the "free W10" deadline.

*Nerd

 

One practical although some extra effort demanding way to test it would be to make a complete system image of your current XP, download Windows 10 ISO, create a install media (DVD / flash drive), and boot with it performing a clean install of Windows 10, skipping the product key when it will be asked.

This way you could at least test your hardware compatibility.

When tested you could then restore the XP system image.

 

Gosh Kari, I came from the perspective "how to upgrade my XP for free" but now that you've told me that doesn't work, this much easier approach to testing had sorta slipped my mind.

Two questions and two times I've had to slap my forehead. This is painful, and I'm not doing very well with my first posts here am I!!!!

*Redface

Many thanks.

 

Happens to all of us *Smile

 

I am going to go on such a journey right now.. XP > Vista > 7 (in place) - Having some issues.. Will post back more for advise. Thanks.

 

@Kari

You are a Mega Genius -- however (not as usual wanting to be the "5th player in a string quartet" !!!! ) I l cannot run my studio application (cuts VINYL from music tracks as I now do a roaring business making customized vinyl for people which supplants my income now I've "Semi-retired").

The hardware driver fails -- I'm still keeping an XP VM for this --new equipment would cost me > 25,000 EUR these days - so why bother when my current system works just fine.

The rest work though. I did it for a test -- I've still got Technet keys and VISTA ISO's as well as W7 etc. Good way to spend a wet cold Easter Monday !!! Thanks for the heads up !!!

But I LOVE all the work you do whether it's on Windows, HYPER-V or whatever -- so thanks and always enjoy your posts.

A lot around here and on the Forum really do appreciate your hard work.

Thanks again

BTW the most difficult problem I had initially with cutting vinyl was to source the blanks --with a revival in Vinyl -- business doing good and no problems now with getting the blanks.

hopefully soon to go a bit more world wide.

Have got a website title (jimbo.is) -- but haven't yet populated it -- you will just see a blank page so no content yet -- hoping to get som e-commerce going now I have a bit more time for the business.

Anyway here's my XP system. Keeping the Jaguars alive !!!!

If you could get the Luna black theme and 3D effects working on a W10 system -- would be brilliant -- I like this theme rather than the relatively boring W10 ones which seem more appropriate to tablets / mobile phones etc.





Cheers
jimbo