Clean install - Win 7 upgrade to 10?

[JamesV]

I last installed Win 7 when I put together my PC in 2011 (2600K system), and am having issues trying to do a clean install from Win 7 to 10, using the Win 7 upgrade disc.

I remember installing 7 off of the 7 upgrade disc and later activating with my XP key (instead of actually installing XP then 7), when I built this PC. There was never an 'upgrade key' included with the Win 7 upgrade disc to my knowledge. I only have the physical disc and seal of authenticity (which doesn't have a key on it).

When I try to activate 7 now, it says my XP key is invalid, and I'm guessing it wants a non-upgrade 7 key. The help says I need to install XP, then 7, then 10, but that seems ridiculous.

Same hardware, only installed 7 once, checked key numerous times... I'm stumped. Is there no way to do a clean 7 upgrade disc to free 10 install? Searches all give me crap; latching onto 'upgrade to 10' results rather than 'upgrade disc'.

Help?

 

[Ketchup]

The easiest way to go about this would be to do the upgrade install to Widows 10. After that is complete, and you still feel the need for a clean install, put 10 on a flash drive (using the media creation tool, linked below) and install 10 that way. You won't need a key.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[JamesV]

The problem is, that when I try to upgrade to 10, the upgrade fails because Win 7 isn't activated.

That's where I'm stuck.

 

[Ketchup]

The problem is, that when I try to upgrade to 10, the upgrade fails because Win 7 isn't activated.

That's where I'm stuck.

OK, I get you now. The OS key system is having it's final hurrah!

I know that you can activate 10 with full install keys for 7 and 8.1, so you could test and see if it will let you activate 10 with your win 7 upgrade key.

Any idea when your copy of 7 lost it's activation? That is.... unusual.

 

[JamesV]

There isn't any key for the Windows 7 upgrade disc... it used the XP key to activate it (or whatever you upgraded from), but that doesn't seem to work anymore.

 

[VirtualLarry]

There isn't any key for the Windows 7 upgrade disc... it used the XP key to activate it (or whatever you upgraded from), but that doesn't seem to work anymore.

No, that is incorrect. Windows 7 NEVER took "XP keys" to activate. Unless you have some sort of bastard bootleg disc.

Edit: And if it's currently not activated, then perhaps, way back when, you bought an "upgrade" Win7 disc off of Ebay or some other shady source, and it was just media, and didn't come with a COA or license, and then you tried to upgrade, and put in your XP Key, and it went through the install, but then never activated (because of wrong key).

The long and short of it is, if you want a legit license, you're going to have to buy it.

 

[Ketchup]

No, that is incorrect. Windows 7 NEVER took "XP keys" to activate. Unless you have some sort of bastard bootleg disc.

I hadn't heard of that either. What's more, you can't technically upgrade from XP to 7. 7 will only do a fresh install from XP.

 

[JamesV]

Arggghh, I'm a dumbass.

I have all my discs in a leather case, and after some searching.... there is the 32bit disc with the activation key paper. Installed from the other, which only had the cert of authenticity with it.

Sorry, and thanks. In my defense, I've spent the last 9 days in Miami Beach with friends that are bartenders.

 

[VirtualLarry]

In my defense, I've spent the last 9 days in Miami Beach with friends that are bartenders.

LOL. You are forgiven.

So, you should be able to use your existing Windows 7 install, go to MS's web site and download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 10, and then either use a DVD or a USB flash drive (8GB or larger), and make a boot disc/USB.

Then, you should be able to boot that media, and then enter the Windows 7 key when prompted, and hopefully, it should install and activate for you on that hardware.

Btw, the "bitness" of the license key doesn't matter. Even if it was purchased only as a 32-bit Windows 7 install disc, you can still install 64-bit Windows 7 or Windows 10 with it.

 

[JamesV]

Btw, the "bitness" of the license key doesn't matter. Even if it was purchased only as a 32-bit Windows 7 install disc, you can still install 64-bit Windows 7 or Windows 10 with it.

Was wondering about that, but checked and it's 64 bit; good to know though.

Thanks for all your help; the clincher was confirming there was a key. If you are ever in South Beach I'll have my buddy buy you a few. Or if in a Cleveland I won't throw a snowball at you.