Talk about a fresh approach to installing Windows 10!
Talk about a fresh approach to installing Windows 10!
About a decade ago, I purchased a Home version key for Windows 8. A few years later, I upgraded to Windows 10 (when M$ provided it free). I've been using Windows 10 ever since. My old PC still functions properly, but I'm considering a fresh installation on a new SSD.
Instead of installing with the Windows 8 DVD and then upgrading to 10, could I directly start with a Windows 10 DVD and perform a fresh install? I still possess my Windows 8 key, but I've tried a different approach to locate it on my upgraded system.
I used this website:
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Your-Windows-Product-Key
It helped me retrieve my product key using #4, the registry method. However, this differs from the method I used when first buying Windows 8, so I'm unsure if the key was altered during the upgrade. If I use this new key, should I be able to install Windows 10 from a DVD without going through Windows 8?
Additionally, could I download Windows 10 from M$ and install it via USB? It would be simpler for me since I already have the DVD and plan to update online.
Thanks if you can provide guidance or advice.
Can I use a Windows 10 DVD for a fresh installation?
If your motherboard matches what it was during the previous setup, you should create a bootable USB using Windows Media Creation Tools, ensure only the intended drive is connected to the system, and install the OS in offline mode.
Before starting, check if there are any pending BIOS updates.
It’s likely your installer is outdated, so the update process may not be complete—opt for the most recent version with the latest improvements.
Yes, same Main Board. Only the SSD changes and once I install it it will be the sole drive, except for the DVD player which can be considered a drive. I can perform this in offline mode. Should I use the key I found in the registry?
Can I seek your advice on these matters?
1) Should I refresh the operating system on the old SSD prior to installing it on the new one? My hardware remains unchanged since the last M$ update.
2) Do you think it's preferable to download Windows 10 from M$ and install via USB rather than using the DVD?
The previous installation method will be fully eliminated during this OS setup. It doesn't matter.
I strongly favor USB drives over DVDs—blank ones with at least 8GB capacity.
You definitely want the newest version available, not the outdated one on the old DVD.
Your Win 8 key isn't valid for a Windows 10 setup. However, if Windows 10 was ever activated on that system before—except for the new SSD version—as a local account, its digital credentials are stored in the cloud. Unless you've transferred them to a Microsoft account, you should not enter a key. During installation, select "I don't have a product key" and it will activate automatically after your first online visit.
Your Windows 10 DVD is outdated because only the most recent two versions can be updated. Windowsupdate cannot upgrade older builds to the latest version, so you'll need to download and run the media installer from your current, unsupported build instead of booting from it.
You must remove the existing Windows 10 installation from your current setup. Then, refer to the instructions provided to download and save your GenuineTicket.xml file onto a thumb drive. After that, install the latest Windows 10 version from Microsoft on your new SSD. Continue following the steps to place the saved GenuineTicket.xml file back into the updated Windows environment and restart your system. Your existing Windows 10 registration will remain intact, and you won’t need to connect to the internet again.