Windows 10: re-install w10 originally acquired via free downloaded upgrade

I bought a notepad programmed with W8.1, hence it came with no Windows 8.1 CDs, and I took advantage of the free download to upgrade to Windows 10. I now want to get rid of the notepad and need to wipe it clean and re-install the OS. But I've nothing for the OS. What do I do? I intend to use a highly recommended software to totally remove any possible trace to anything I'd put on the HD. That, to me, means blanked, cleaned, nothing remaining. Help!

:)

 

Windows 10 Reinstallation

Windows 8 was bought during the Microsoft's promo in 2012 when the laptop was acquired. It was upgraded to Windows 8 during that time and 8.1 was acquired through the update. Does that qualify? I am not sure if there will be conficts with the VAIO when I
installed Windows 10 on it using the Windows 8 key and now I am to install it with the original Windows 7 key. If that is the case, I can just upgrade to W10 again using the original path. Will there be conflicts if I am to upgrade to W10 using W7 instead
of the W8/8.1 that I used before?

The other PC is an older VAIO with Vista originally installed. I am thinking of installing the W8/8.1 on it so I can update it with W10. I can leave it be as it's already an old system.

Thanks,

 

where is my windows 10 upgrade

If this person originating this thred is indeed a technician then they should understand the "basic" fundamentals of upgrading to Windows 10. First and MOST importantly you MUST have either an activated and fully licensed version of Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 installed
before windows update will even offer the W10 upgrade. OR have a valid W10 license key to pair to your install of W10 from ISO via whatever medium you are installing from. Please bear in mind that downloading the W10 ISO WILL be a clean install vice an upgrade.
As previously stated its FREE ONLY if you already have a licensed version of Windows running and ONLY via windows updates. If you have re-installed the same w7 license more than the number of times allowed per the MS EULA, that would be the most likely reason
your key will not now validate and activate to be eligible for W10.

Secondarily, windows update will allow normal updates to install IF the installed OS has been validated GENUINE. Genuine DOES NOT mean you have a valid license. Whatever the reason any license key doesn't work is the burden of the end user.

 

if you obtained Win10 by upgrading and you have not done a clean install of Win 10 then you can probably use the recovery partition to restore Win 8.1 to the factory installed configuration. Look through the documentation that came with unit for instructions or go the manufactures web site for specific instructions.

 

Thanks for your suggestion.

 

Before you do anything, I would export the third party device drivers by opening a Command Prompt (Admin) and running:

dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\Drivers

the path in red will be to an external storage device with a folder created on it to hold the drivers.

 

I got Error 87, the .....destination option is unknown. Several suggestions to learn more about dism.exe lead nowhere.

 

Code: C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /online /export-driver /? Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool Version: 10.0.14393.0 Image Version: 10.0.14393.0 /Export-Driver /Destination:<path_to_destination_folder> Export all third-party driver packages from a Windows image to a destination path. Examples: DISM.exe /Image:C:\test\offline /Export-Driver /Destination:C:\destpath C:\WINDOWS\system32>[/quote] And
DISM Driver Servicing (.inf) Command-Line Options

 

And
DISM Driver Servicing (.inf) Command-Line Options[/quote]
Thanks for assuming I would understand, but I don't. Could you possibly explain how I can make this work for me?

 

This only works on Windows 8 or Windows 10, not Windows 7. You make a folder on an external storage device such as a USB flash drive. I recommend at least 4 GB free space on it. Lets say you call the folder Drivers. Of course there has to be a drive letter assigned for you to make the folder, lets say it gets the drive letter E:. With the USB flash drive inserted, and you can see E:\Drivers in file explorer:
Right click on the start icon, and select Command Prompt (Admin). In the Window that opens you would run:

dism /online /export-driver /destination:E:\Drivers

Change the E:\Drivers part to match the drive letter and folder you create to hold them. The folder can be on C: drive if you want, but you will have to move them off of C: drive before you do a reset or clean install of Windows.

 

It was the spaces that I missed. Once I entered the spaces correctly, it worked. Thanks to all here for the help.