W10 clean install, product key?

[Nitas]

I took for granted that that my 8.1 key would work, but of course that wasn't the case, not at all. So am I to understand that I can't do a clean install of W10 without a physical copy?

Is a clean install possible at all right now?

 

[drixkarasu]

You need to upgrade first, once you have upgraded write down your new product key and perform a clean install.

 

[Nitas]

Ah I see, I guess that's it then. Thank you!

 

[Ranjha Singh]

Ah I see, I guess that's it then. Thank you!

you need to install windows 10 and use microsoft account before you do clean install so that it recognizes your account when you do clean install and once you do clean install it will take couple of restarts and installing updates before your key is activated
Don't freak out if it does not activate on first try because mine did not activate on first try

 

[simonchipmunk]

Ranjha: if I understand your posting, you are advising Nitas to install Windows 10 and use Microsoft account before you do a clean install.
that doesn't make sense to me. the end result is that the program is installed twice.
simonchipmunk

 

[Ranjha Singh]

Ranjha: if I understand your posting, you are advising Nitas to install Windows 10 and use Microsoft account before you do a clean install.
that doesn't make sense to me. the end result is that the program is installed twice.
simonchipmunk

That's what i thought before instlaling windows 10 for 1st time but remember when installing windows you have option of deleting all the previous installations that's what he will do that's the only way to do clean install of windows 10 right now
First Install from inside the Windows 7 or 8 converts the key to Windows 10 using a usb drive(make sure to login with Microsoft Account and activate the Windows).
2nd Install will give him option to delete all the partitions and do a complete clean installation by installing all the partitions will remove all the stuff from previous installation and old windows 7/8

Key conversion has to take place in order for his windows to be legal and activate and 1st installation using Usb to install and signing with Microsoft Account(MSN) will attach the key to Microsoft account and Motherboard that he will sign with that way Microsoft knows which person is legal and which computer to activate
1 Windows 7/8 key=1 Windows 10 key

During Installation When it asks for Key Skip after you login into the computer go to windows update and activation and it will activate the Windows for you(if it fails 1st time give it couple of restarts and try it couple of times it will eventually activate Don't Panic)

 

[Math Geek]

to do the clean install, you have to upgrade first. once that is done, then MS knows your pc based on hardware signature and will allow win 10 to activate after a clean install

you can format the partition/drive you want to put win 10 on and when the installer asks for the key, simply skip that step. once it is done installing and updating itself, it will again ask for a key. skip that as well. you will find that your win 10 is already activated despite entering no key.

i have done this about 10 times now on different systems and it works no problem. don't worry about the upgrade key as it seems it is generic to everyone who upgraded the same version of windows you did. skip inputting a key and you'll find it's good to go

 

[simonchipmunk]

Ranjha: if I understand your posting, you are advising Nitas to install Windows 10 and use Microsoft account before you do a clean install.
that doesn't make sense to me. the end result is that the program is installed twice.
simonchipmunk

That's what i thought before instlaling windows 10 for 1st time but remember when installing windows you have option of deleting all the previous installations that's what he will do that's the only way to do clean install of windows 10 right now
First Install from inside the Windows 7 or 8 converts the key to Windows 10 using a usb drive(make sure to login with Microsoft Account and activate the Windows).
2nd Install will give him option to delete all the partitions and do a complete clean installation by installing all the partitions will remove all the stuff from previous installation and old windows 7/8

Key conversion has to take place in order for his windows to be legal and activate and 1st installation using Usb to install and signing with Microsoft Account(MSN) will attach the key to Microsoft account and Motherboard that he will sign with that way Microsoft knows which person is legal and which computer to activate
1 Windows 7/8 key=1 Windows 10 key

During Installation When it asks for Key Skip after you login into the computer go to windows update and activation and it will activate the Windows for you(if it fails 1st time give it couple of restarts and try it couple of times it will eventually activate Don't Panic)

.

I think I understand now. he upgrades to windows 10,which then give him the key for the program. then he goes back and reinstalls it but this time he tells the program to format the partitions, and reinstalls the program on a clean drive. so in essence , he removes the first win 10 install, and then reinstalls it ,but without the old windows( including the first win 10) installs.
I am guessing this will allieviate problems people have been having, when they tell the installer program to keep their old files and apps?

 

[simonchipmunk]

You need to upgrade first, once you have upgraded write down your new product key and perform a clean install.

thanks drixkarasu.