Reserve Windows 10 and Install it On a New Hard Drive

[WizieWizWiz]

I have windows 7 Ultimate OEM, and I have been looking around for answers to my question but could never find a non confusing/ straightforward answer. My question is, am I able to reserve my free upgrade to Windows 10 and put it on a disc or USB stick and install it on a new hard drive, if not then how would I be able to Install my free upgrade to windows 10 onto my new hard drive?

Thanks In Advance

 

[Mankar Kameran]

It has to be upgraded from your Windows 7 so you won't be able to move it. It will basically take the place of your current OS.
You would have to install Windows 7 on the new hard drive first and then upgrade to 10 when it comes out.

 

[USAFRet]

1. Upgrade your current drive and OS to Win 10
2. Obtain the relevant ISO file (exact steps for this are unknown)
3. Create install media with that ISO file. DVD or USB
4. Using that, install on your new drive.

Or

1. Install your existing Win 7 on the new drive. Either clean install or migration
2. Upgrade to Win 10

 

[photonboy]

Hey,
Microsoft has implied but not confirmed that you need to upgrade the in-place Windows 7.

Microsoft keeps confusing people with Windows 10. They said you could apply a clean install after upgrading first but AFAIK have not absolutely confirmed you MUST upgrade first. Sigh.

*I suggest waiting until after July 29th because I think this will be a bit clearer. It MAY turn out that you can simply apply your existing code and install W10 from DVD but so far I doubt it.

Other:
By new hard drive I assume you mean on the same motherboard. You can't move this to a new system.

 

[USAFRet]

Hey,
Microsoft has implied but not confirmed that you need to upgrade the in-place Windows 7.

Microsoft keeps confusing people with Windows 10. They said you could apply a clean install after upgrading first but AFAIK have not absolutely confirmed you MUST upgrade first. Sigh.

The only text I've seen says 'upgrade first, then clean install'
We shall see.

And I agree. Wait until after the actual release for further info.

 

[photonboy]

Hey,
Microsoft has implied but not confirmed that you need to upgrade the in-place Windows 7.

Microsoft keeps confusing people with Windows 10. They said you could apply a clean install after upgrading first but AFAIK have not absolutely confirmed you MUST upgrade first. Sigh.

The only text I've seen says 'upgrade first, then clean install'
We shall see.

And I agree. Wait until after the actual release for further info.

The only information I can find is this:
" i would also know this. what happens after i have to reinstall my Windows 10 after 29.07.2016..."

reply is:

"Once you upgrade W10 w/ the free upgrade offer you will able to clean reinstall Windows 10 on same device any time... "

So the question was what happens AFTER I have already upgraded but nowhere could I find information that confirmed or denied you could do a fully clean (blank drive) installation of the RTM version then simply apply your W7 or W8.1 serial to activate.

For that matter what about the Preview version? Can someone validate that with a W7/W8.1 code if unused or already activated for the same system? (You will be able to buy a W10 code without reinstalling at least).

Every time someone asks Microsoft to confirm something about W10 they give an incomplete answer. It's really frustrating.

Upgrading to Windows 10 then doing a clean install isn't hard since I already have W8.1 however if I had an unused installation disc for W7/W8.1 I surely wouldn't want to install that, upgrade, wipe all that and do a clean install.

 

[USAFRet]

Hey,
Microsoft has implied but not confirmed that you need to upgrade the in-place Windows 7.

Microsoft keeps confusing people with Windows 10. They said you could apply a clean install after upgrading first but AFAIK have not absolutely confirmed you MUST upgrade first. Sigh.

The only text I've seen says 'upgrade first, then clean install'
We shall see.

And I agree. Wait until after the actual release for further info.

The only information I can find is this:
" i would also know this. what happens after i have to reinstall my Windows 10 after 29.07.2016..."

reply is:

"Once you upgrade W10 w/ the free upgrade offer you will able to clean reinstall Windows 10 on same device any time... "

So the question was what happens AFTER I have already upgraded but nowhere could I find information that confirmed or denied you could do a fully clean (blank drive) installation of the RTM version then simply apply your W7 or W8.1 serial to activate.

For that matter what about the Preview version? Can someone validate that with a W7/W8.1 code if unused or already activated for the same system? (You will be able to buy a W10 code without reinstalling at least).

Every time someone asks Microsoft to confirm something about W10 they give an incomplete answer. It's really frustrating.

Upgrading to Windows 10 then doing a clean install isn't hard since I already have W8.1 however if I had an unused installation disc for W7/W8.1 I surely wouldn't want to install that, upgrade, wipe all that and do a clean install.

You won't need the original Win 8.1 or 7 license to reinstall the Windows 10.

If you have a currently uninstalled Win 7 or 8.1, then yes...I think you'd have to install it, then upgrade.
Same with the Tech Preview. I've not seen any statement that says you can use just a license key from 7 or 8.1, and end up with a valid RTM Win 10.

The Upgrade must happen from an installed 7 or 8.1.

But, who knows...I could be wrong.

 

[USAFRet]

Some more info for your reading pleasure:
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/4794/more-windows-10-answers-how-activation-will-work-on-an-upgrade

 

[USAFRet]

So the question was what happens AFTER I have already upgraded but nowhere could I find information that confirmed or denied you could do a fully clean (blank drive) installation of the RTM version then simply apply your W7 or W8.1 serial to activate.

Here:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/free-upgrade-to-windows-10/a1906d5c-2183-4064-af8e-e6650c15d96d?auth=1

Q: Can I clean install (i.e. boot from media and install) Windows 10 on my Windows 7 or Windows 8.x device and still take advantage of the free upgrade offer?

A: No. Clean installs of Windows 10 on a Windows 7 or Windows 8.x device via booting from media are not considered “upgrades”, so the free upgrade offer will not apply. For your Windows 10 installation to be considered an upgrade, you must start installation of Windows 10 while booted in Windows 7 or Windows 8.x

If you attempt to clean install Windows 10 on a device that hasn’t taken advantage of the free upgrade offer and successfully activated Windows 10 online before, you will be prompted to enter a Windows 10 product key to continue installing Windows 10.