Discussion Fresh install Windows 10 with a catch...

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

Muckster

Distinguished
Dec 13, 2013
469
42
18,820
About 10 years ago I bought a Home version key for Windows 8. Then, a year or two later I upgraded to Windows 10 (when M$ offered it for free). Been running Windows 10 every since. This old PC still runs fine, but I want to do a fresh install on a new SSD.

Rather than install with my Windows 8 DVD then upgrade to 10, can I just start with a Windows 10 DVD and fresh install? I still have my Windows 8 key, but I used the following method to "find" my key on my old PC that's been upgraded to 10 from 8.

Using this website:
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Your-Windows-Product-Key

I was able to local my product key using #4, the registry method. It's not the same as the one I used when I first bought windows 8, so can I assume they changed the key when I upgraded? So if I use this new key should I be able to install windows 10 from DVD and skip the Windows 8 part?

Also, I could download windows 10 from M$ and install from USB if it's better to do it that way. Easier for me to just use the DVD if I can because I have it and I'll do the updating online anyway.

Thanks if you can help or offer advice.
 
Last edited:
Sort by date Sort by votes
Lutfij

Lutfij

Titan
Moderator
Oct 7, 2009
55,120
5,016
178,390
Can I used a windows 10 DVD to do a fresh install?
If your motherboard is the same as it as since that install, all you need to do is fabricate your bootable USB installer using Windows Media Creation Tools, then make sure the drive you intend to install the OS is the only drive hooked to the platform, then install the OS in offline mode.

One precursor before installing the OS, at this moment of time is to see if you have any BIOS updates pending.

Chances are your installer is so old, that the update process might end up half baked, best have the latest installer which will have the latest updates on it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Muckster
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

Muckster

Distinguished
Dec 13, 2013
469
42
18,820
Lutfij said:
Can I used a windows 10 DVD to do a fresh install?
If your motherboard is the same as it as since that install, all you need to do is fabricate your bootable USB installer using Windows Media Creation Tools, then make sure the drive you intend to install the OS is the only drive hooked to the platform, then install the OS in offline mode.
Click to expand...

Yes, same Main Board. Only the SSD is different and once I do the install it will be the only drive installed, except for the DVD player, if you call that a drive. I can do this in offline mode.

I should use the key I discovered in the registry then?


Lutfij said:
One precursor before installing the OS, at this moment of time is to see if you have any BIOS updates pending.
Click to expand...

Well, I actually haven't had this old PC hooked up to the internet in over three months, and when I did have it running it gave me an update error. First time ever I had an update error in over 10 years.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us.../e6473fa4-f2d4-42c3-b4be-266b43454306?page=31

Since then I bought a new PC. Is it really necessary to update the OS on the drive I'm about to throw away before installing it on a new drive?


Lutfij said:
Chances are your installer is so old, that the update process might end up half baked, best have the latest installer which will have the latest updates on it.
Click to expand...

Okay, so you're saying don't use the DVD. Use the creation tool from M$ to create a bootable Win 10 USB, right?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

Muckster

Distinguished
Dec 13, 2013
469
42
18,820
USAFRet said:

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...
forums.tomshardware.com forums.tomshardware.com
Click to expand...
USAFREt,
can I get your opinion on....

1) do I need to update the OS on the old SSD before installing on the new? My hardware hasn't changed since my last M$ update.

2) Do you agree it's better to download win 10 from M$ and install on a USB instead of using the DVD?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
172,767
18,589
184,590
Muckster said:
USAFREt,
can I get your opinion on....

1) do I need to update the OS on the old SSD before installing on the new? My hardware hasn't changed since my last M$ update.

2) Do you agree it's better to download win 10 from M$ and install on a USB instead of using the DVD?
Click to expand...
1. The old drive will be completely removed during this OS install. It is of no consequence.

2. I much prefer USB vs DVD. Blank USB, 8GB or larger.
And you REALLY want the latest (created today), vs whatever is on that ancient DVD.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PEnns and Muckster
Upvote 0 Downvote
BFG-9000

BFG-9000

Splendid
Sep 17, 2016
3,510
490
29,090
Your Win 8 key is no longer good for a Windows 10 install. But if Windows 10 has ever been activated on that machine before (excepting the new SSD) as a local account, then its "digital entitlement" credentials are stored in the cloud, and unless you've gone and moved those to some Microsoft account instead:

Do NOT enter a key. When installing, choose "I don't have a product key" and it should automatically activate itself after the first time you go online.

Your Windows 10 DVD is no good because only the last two builds can even be updated to the current build. Windowsupdate cannot update ancient builds to the latest, so you would have to download and run the media installer anyway (only from the desktop of your outdated build rather than booting from it)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Muckster
Upvote 0 Downvote
stonecarver

stonecarver

Admirable
Nov 18, 2019
1,596
536
6,840
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/directly-clean-install-windows-10-without-upgrading

You have to get the file off your current working install of windows 10 but on the link I posted go down to

How to directly clean install Windows 10 without upgrading​


and follow the instructions to get your GenuineTicket.xml on your desktop. Old copy of Windows 10. You will need to save that GenuineTicket.xml onto a thumb drive and set aside.

Install your new fresh copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft onto your new SSD , and than again follow the instructions on where to relocate that GenuineTicket.xml file you made from your old copy of windows to deep within Windows on your new install and restart and your registered.

It's your already registered windows 10 ticket that being as your using same parts minus just a SSD upgrade you will be back up and running registered without needing to even connect to the internet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Muckster
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

Muckster

Distinguished
Dec 13, 2013
469
42
18,820
I just haven't been able to get to this install yet, but I will in the next day or so. Just want to thank everyone for the help.

Following advice of this thread...
My intention is to download fresh Win10 to USB, install without key, offline. Go online, let it update to its full delight, then confirm it's a owned copy of windows.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CountMike

CountMike

Titan
Oct 31, 2015
34,054
3,256
147,990
DSzymborski said:
Generally speaking, Microsoft went easier on the rules several years ago so people that upgraded an older Windows to Windows 10, even an old OEM version, got to use their license permanently after an upgrade.
Click to expand...
Yes. it makes no difference how Windows were obtained as long as it's same type, Home or pro. Just recently free upgrade from W7 and W8 was stopped and MS doesn't sell W10 any more but could be downloaded from their site.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom