Windows 8 > Windows 10 issue

[Luke]

I have Windows 8.1 and I wanted to upgrade to Windows 10 from a clean install, but it asks for a CD key with the install, I put the windows key in for my Windows 8.1 and it keeps giving me a error in which it says I cannot use this key? What key do I use to upgrade with of-course? Thanks in advance.

[Teddy]

According to Microsoft, you can only "upgrade" you cannot do a clean install. Install Windows 8.1 first, then download their upgrade utility.

[Luke]

According to Microsoft, you can only "upgrade" you cannot do a clean install. Install Windows 8.1 first, then download their upgrade utility.

Thanks, thats the route I have just taken, I just don't want this "windows.old" folder, able to delete it right without losing any files to stuff?

[Teddy]

Yes, you can delete the windows.old folder after the installation.

[Axison]

According to Microsoft, you can only "upgrade" you cannot do a clean install. Install Windows 8.1 first, then download their upgrade utility.

Ill add my question here,

So suppose i purchase a new HDD, do i need to install windows 8 on it and then upgrade? or can i simply install windows 10 and use the windows 8 key i already have..?

[Janar]

To get legitimate copy of Windows 10, use your previous Windows (7, 8 or 8.1) to upgrade to Windows 10 and then create the installation media (USB flash drive, DVD) and clean install Windows.
This way, you can skip the key part during installation and Windows 10 gets activated automatically.

If you do clean install from Windows 8 to Windows 10 immediately, you will need a legit W10 key, which can only be bought.

[Devin]

If you do clean install from Windows 8 to Windows 10 immediately, you will need a legit W10 key, which can only be bought.

Not necessarily, I did a clean install through the media creator tool from 8.1 to 10, it removed all of my data and other shit but kept the relevant Windows 8.1 key and data to automatically activate 10 upon install.
During the install it allowed me to select a harddrive to install on which still had data so I left it like that, if you format the drive you will lose your key.
When it asked for a key I selected "later" or whatever the option was to activate at another time.

On bootup Windows 10 was already activated and there was no residual space wasted on the drive from the previous install.

[Janar]

Interesting. Got smarter again, had read otherwise on Microsoft forums :P

[StatuZ]

The product key you use for Windows 8 is used to activate windows 10. When you upgrade from 8 to 10, Microsoft creates a unique system identifier based on the hardware on your machine, and stores that. Next time you reinstall Windows 10 (even if it's a clean installation, Microsoft will match that system identifier with your system (assuming you didn't swap out harddrives, videocards, etc).

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/could-your-microsoft-account-and-windows-10-activation-be-connected

[Devin]

They clearly don't comprehend what happens with computers, they get upgraded...

[Teddy]

They clearly don't comprehend what happens with computers, they get upgraded...

They care about the largest percentage of users, which happens to be your everyday house wife, college student, and drunk father. They don't know a single fuck about the internal hardware of computers. Unfortunately, those of us who do and make constant upgrades... we're left to deal with it.

[Julio.]

Those of us that know a shred about PCs should also have the competence and knowledge levels to clean up after an upgrade install too . It's all about catering for the majority.

[StatuZ]

I just installed new drives after hardware faillure. Windows 10 is failing to activate now, forcing me to call Microsoft, and providing their automated system with my installation id. Called the 'Product Activation Center', only to be told by a robot that my Installation ID is incorrect. Transferred through to a employee, telling me -while laughing- that their activation system is overloaded, and that i should try again in a couple of weeks.

egh.

[Axison]

I just installed new drives after hardware faillure. Windows 10 is failing to activate now, forcing me to call Microsoft, and providing their automated system with my installation id. Called the 'Product Activation Center', only to be told by a robot that my Installation ID is incorrect. Transferred through to a employee, telling me -while laughing- that their activation system is overloaded, and that i should try again in a couple of weeks.

egh.

Install your previous OS on your new hard drive and activate it, then upgrade using tools provided by Microsoft .I had exactly the same problem(had to buy a new HDD).

[StatuZ]

Install your previous OS on your new hard drive and activate it, then upgrade using tools provided by Microsoft .I had exactly the same problem(had to buy a new HDD).

I am told this is not nessecary. By upgrading previously, Microsoft registered my hardware as having a valid license.