How to install Win10 from scratch instead of uprade from Win8.1?

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
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i have a Dell e5250.
It came with Win 8.1 Pro with a Win10 upgrade.

I bought a 120 ssd.
i want to install Win10 directly and bypass Win8.1 Pro.

Anyway to do that?
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
248
106
Let the Windows 10 upgrade run on your current setup. Let it activate. At the point, swap the drives and run your clean install of 10. I would recommend using the media creation tool to put the installer for the latest version of 10 on a flash drive. Done.
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
downloaded it.

your link requires a windows version already on the hard drive?
after I download and tried to install on blank ssd, it says I need a windows version already on the drive?
specifically, my laptop said it couldn't find an operating system.
thought it was Win10 saying it needs it.

but looking thru bios, I realized that UEFI was turned off thus my laptop was trying to boot from my blank ssd instead of flash drive.

will try again
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
106
In order to control the boot source if other than the installed SSD, on my laptop I press F12. That pops up a boot menu listing all possible drives including flashes.