Solved! What is the best way to purchase/install Win 10?

[Caveman]

I've got an ASUS Z87 MoBo and the last time I installed an OS was Win 7 about 4 years ago via DVD. What is the best way to purchase and install Win 10 these days to get the latest version, etc...?

 

[Muadib]

If you still have win7 installed, you might get win 10 free. Use the Windows 10 installation media tool, and install it to a USB flash drive. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
If it doesn't active, then you have to buy it. Last time I checked, it was $109 at either Newegg or Amazon, for the Home OEM version.

 

[Caveman]

Thanks for the reply. My intent is to keep Win 7 on the current drive for now, install Win 10 on another drive, and then dual boot into either OS. Sounds like I'll need to purchase a copy of Win 7 outright and then download for a USB install...

 

[Steltek]

Thanks for the reply. My intent is to keep Win 7 on the current drive for now, install Win 10 on another drive, and then dual boot into either OS. Sounds like I'll need to purchase a copy of Win 7 outright and then download for a USB install...

All you need for a clean install of Win10 on an empty hard drive is your Win7 product keycode. You aren't actually required to upgrade an existing Win7 installation.

Use the link above to create a Win7 installer on a flash drive. Then, swap in your empty drive and install Win10. When it asks you for a keycode, simply enter the Win7 product key and use it to activate Windows 10.

So long as you aren't running both at the same time (which you couldn't be based upon your intentions) you shouldn't have a problem. If you don't have the Win7 key from your system, you can use a utility like Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder or Belarc Advisor to get it.

 

[Caveman]

Awesome useful post. Thank you! I see I had a typo that you figured out... I meant purchase a copy of Win 10, not 7. But... I should not need to purchase now. I'll give it a shot... I'm assuming a clean install of Win 10 using a Win 7 Installer is the exact same OS as a Win 10 installer?

Sort of off the topic but I'm trying to remember the best sequence for dual boot install. IIR, the least trouble-free way is to install the new Win 10 drive and disconnect the Win 7 drive so the MoBo just sees the new Win 10 drive, then install the new OS (Win 10) on that drive. Then... Boot into the Win 10 drive and install Easy BCD there to point to the Win 7 drive. Does this sound right?

 

[Steltek]

Awesome useful post. Thank you! I see I had a typo that you figured out... I meant purchase a copy of Win 10, not 7. But... I should not need to purchase now. I'll give it a shot... I'm assuming a clean install of Win 10 using a Win 7 Installer is the exact same OS as a Win 10 installer?

Exact same OS, no differences except you won't have any legacy upgrade garbage to gum up the new OS install. It probably would be a good idea to download the Win10 drivers for your motherboard from the ASUS website to a folder on the install flash drive in case you need them. If you don't want to install with a Microsoft account, unplug your ethernet cable during the installation.

Sort of off the topic but I'm trying to remember the best sequence for dual boot install. IIR, the least trouble-free way is to install the new Win 10 drive and disconnect the Win 7 drive so the MoBo just sees the new Win 10 drive, then install the new OS (Win 10) on that drive. Then... Boot into the Win 10 drive and install Easy BCD there to point to the Win 7 drive. Does this sound right?

I'll leave this for someone else to answer as I haven't used EasyBCD for a long time. But, from what I remember about it, that sounds about right.

 

[Caveman]

Thanks all. I ended up making a Win10 Install via the Win7 Key and it worked! Free OS for a dual boot Win 7/10 machine. Thanks!

 

[Jstanthr]

I bought a few Win10 Keys, Office Key, even a Visio key from an oem seller on newegg, the win10 key (they email it and if you want the sticker they will mail if for 2.50) was only 14.99 ea and the others were quite cheap as well. It is an OEM key but thats not an issue for my needs. Also got a win10 workstation key for 49 which was nice, i didn't order that one until i got the first one and verified it was legit.

 

[Steltek]

I bought a few Win10 Keys, Office Key, even a Visio key from an oem seller on newegg, the win10 key (they email it and if you want the sticker they will mail if for 2.50) was only 14.99 ea and the others were quite cheap as well. It is an OEM key but thats not an issue for my needs. Also got a win10 workstation key for 49 which was nice, i didn't order that one until i got the first one and verified it was legit.

The key might work, but it isn't legal. Eventually, it will get blacklisted and you'll have to buy another one.

 

[killster1]

The key might work, but it isn't legal. Eventually, it will get blacklisted and you'll have to buy another one.

feel like it is legal if they include somekinda hardware with it. doubtful that it will be blacklisted, id even take a bet on it working forever, care to wager?

 

[Steltek]

It'll work until it won't. Not going to argue the point, as it is not worth arguing over. If it is working for you, more power to you.

I will say that I saw it happen often enough back when I was actively working on systems (I mostly stopped about 2 1/2 years ago, and only now do it for a few folks and my relatives) that I actually had a pre-prepared service outcome sheet to give to the customer explaining in simple terms exactly why their software was no longer activated (as I got sick of having to give the same explanation over and over).

 

[killster1]

It'll work until it won't. Not going to argue the point, as it is not worth arguing over. If it is working for you, more power to you.

I will say that I saw it happen often enough back when I was actively working on systems (I mostly stopped about 2 1/2 years ago, and only now do it for a few folks and my relatives) that I actually had a pre-prepared service outcome sheet to give to the customer explaining in simple terms exactly why their software was no longer activated (as I got sick of having to give the same explanation over and over).

like i said its legal if included hardware, also if they only sell the key once how will it stop working? if it is sold over and over of course it will have issues but that is more of a seller then source issue. no bet then?

 

[Jstanthr]

feel like it is legal if they include somekinda hardware with it. doubtful that it will be blacklisted, id even take a bet on it working forever, care to wager?

The listing does offer to send a dead non-working hard drive with purchase for a very high shipping fee. Maybe that is their way around that? Unclear, was just sharing the info, didn't think it would be an issue.