Windows 10: Win10 problem

I'm not using SSD. I already have win10 ISO file ready to burn i just want to try to fix this before for future if same problem happens to anyone else.

 

I was waiting to see if someone else would respond David. But....seeing how nobody has I'll try. *Smile
I have actually gone thur this myself. I bought a slightly used computer from Ebay last year (Was a GREAT DEAL) it came with Windows 8.1 Home, which I have never liked or wanted to run. After receiving my computer I set it up, checked out a few things, found out the original owner didn't do a very good job cleaning his personal information off the machine. I really didn't care thou as I was going to do a clean install and upgrade this computer to Windows 10 Pro. I bought a retail Windows 10 Pro key online, but not from the Windows Store. This is where it can get tricky. Not buying my key from the Windows Store, Activation can be harder to do. Anyhow, I made my image backup 1st, (Wish everyone would do this step) then erased everything on the SSD, using my Windows ISO 10 Pro version which I had on a USB stick. Helping me at this point was a member on here that walked me thru every step, to make sure I didn't screw it up ( Topgundcp) I didn't enter my Windows key at this point, after Windows 10 Pro was installed successfully and I was at my new desktop, then Windows asked for my Windows 10 Pro key. I entered my retail key, and Windows did not accept it right off, told me I needed to verify by phone. Windows gave me the information to call Microsoft and I did, talked to the tech, he then verified my retail key, gave me the special code to put into Windows 10 Pro, and after that my Windows was fully activated. *Smile
Now that I have gone thru this process with activation my Windows 10 Pro is ON the Microsoft Servers, and MS knows which version of Windows is installed on THIS computer. Even thou it came with Windows 8.1 Home.
But I always keep a Full Image backup on a external drive, I also keep all my Key licenses on same external drive, plus I even printed my license out using Showkey. My information for this computer being on the Windows servers should be all I need, but I always like to have more than just ONE choice incase something happens. Hope this helps you a little more.
Doing a repair install over a activated Windows 10 should be NO problem, as user will have to choose which version they are repairing anyhow. Windows will check also.
Mike *Smile

 

My scenario is ................. start with pre-installed Win 8 > upgraded to win 10 Home >sometime later on bought a Pro key > updated to Win 10 Pro.
Some time later, I need to do a repair install. I use that link and select Upgrade Now.
Which Win 10 version will I get after completion. ?

 

I would think it should be Windows 10 Pro, as the Windows server should already know and give you the correct version.
Of course, if you wanted to test this theory out, I would make a complete image backup 1st!!!! and....I would NOT use Windows to make my image backup. But...I know how stubborn you can be David. *Smile
Mike.. *Smile

 

@davidhk We do have a 2nd option, Shawn said he was going to run some tests on this Upgrade Now link himself, and if it passed his tests, he is going to add this link to his tutorials. So all we have to do is wait for Shawn to post his results. *Smile

 

The down side of this scenario is it will keep the partition scheme carried over from 8 with an extra partition at the end of C drive.
In Windows 8, fresh install:
For MBR installation: 350MB system partition and C Drive
For GPT: 300MB, EFI System, 128MSR and C drive
Upgrade to 10 will add another 450MB Recovery partition
In Windows 8 pre-install, depending on the PC manufacturer, there's also Recovery partition to recover Factory image, extra partition that contains their tools etc... Making it even more messy.

If you've already had the Win 10 Pro key then why not doing fresh install of Windows 10 directly ? Of course, you'd have to re-install third party apps, reconfigure + optimize etc... but it will be cleaner and disk size will be smaller without any remnants carried over from previous Windows.

If you are happy with the current, running Windows 10 and want to clean up those uneccessary partitions without losing data/apps to make it look like a fresh Windows 10 install then there's way to do that using Macrium.

 

@topgundcp
Well this Upgrade option is reported to be the same as doing a Windows Repair install and only repair the Windows files, and not remove any installed programs, or I would think not change the users partitions either??? The big difference being the user does not need to download the Windows iso.

 

I am not talking about this at all. I am talking about Davidhk's scenerio.

 

That IS what David and I are discussing what would happen if he used that upgrade link...as its suppose to be the same as a Windows Repair
This is something completely NEW Dino, I never even knew about this link and what it does until yesterday. Think Navy posted this the other day....

 

quote:
If you've already had the Win 10 Pro key then why not doing fresh install of Windows 10 directly ? Of course, you'd have to re-install third party apps, reconfigure + optimize etc... but it will be cleaner and disk size will be smaller without any remnants carried over from previous Windows.
end quote.

Yes. Of course a clean install is a better solution. But the downside is reinstalling all 3rd party programs etc etc.
Bear in mind that my scenario has "time intervals". Meaning, Win 8 is upgraded to Win 10 Home before a Pro key is bought.
Also my scenario is what if I need to do a Repair install ?
Please read my scenario post again. I have edited it a bit knowing that I might have created a chance of misinterpretation.

 

Still trying to figure out what this link does, or does not do. Brink is also aware of this New link as of yesterday, and didn't know about it either till yesterday.....he is also going to test this new link out himself.

 

In post #14. OP stated that he's already have the ISO then there's not need to do online repaired which in turn re-download the install.esd etc... So using the ISO would be a lot faster to do in place upgrade (Repair). Don't you think ?

 

Yes I agree it would be faster, but what if a user for some reason, does not have the iso, and needs to repair his/her windows 10, this could be a quick and easy way....IF it works like its been reported to. Nobody in this msg thread has used it, we were just discussing what would happen if we tried this new link out. Suppose to do more than just repair windows......I think......*Smile

Can also do a complete upgrade instead of just a windows repair.

 

I suppose it just might be easier to throw these questions @NavyLCDR as I think he is the one who posted this new link?? *sarc