Windows 10: Windows 10 from external DVD Drive?

Can I install Windows 10 using an external DVD Drive on a new PC build?

:)

 

DVD player won't play

New windows 10 laptop with external DVD player won't play DVD. Computer sees external drive.

 

External drive installed

I installed an external DVD/CD drive for my Surface 4 computer but Windows10 Media Player won't recognize external DVD drive - so how to watch a DVD movie? I can play CD's without any problems.

[Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Install, upgrade, & activate / PC]

 

Yep. Probably be about the slowest way imaginable to do it, but as long as the computer can boot from it, it will work.

 

So something like, Rufus and the Win 10 ISO (with Windows 7 key) would be the best option then?

 

I'm guessing you have a Windows 7 DVD with a product key. Has the Windows 7 been installed previously on an old computer? There are instances where a Windows 7 product key will be blocked by Microsoft from automatic online activation and will have to be installed and activated by phone first. So, you have two choices:

1. You can clean install the latest version of Windows 10 from a USB flash drive. Then you can attempt to activate it with the Windows 7 product key. Advantages: cleaner, faster install of Windows 10. Disadvantage: if the key is blocked, then you are going to have to install Windows 7, activate that over the phone - then you can activate Windows 10 on that computer.

2. You can just install Windows 7 first and activate it. Then upgrade that to Windows 10. Advantage: no chance of not being able to activate Windows 10 because the Windows 7 product key is blocked. Disadvantage: probably about 4 hours getting Windows 7 installed from external DVD drive.

If you end up having or choosing to install Windows 7, then I would highly recommend you save the genuineticket.xml file using this method:
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums