Need to upgrade to Windows 10 first to convert product key?

[Synomenon]

So I'd like to be able to do a clean install of Windows 10 using the ISO.

Can I activate that Windows 10 install with my Windows 8.1 product key or do I have to install the Windows 10 upgrade first so that the Windows 8.1 product key can be "converted" to a Windows 10 product key?

 

[escrow4]

So I'd like to be able to do a clean install of Windows 10 using the ISO.

Can I activate that Windows 10 install with my Windows 8.1 product key or do I have to install the Windows 10 upgrade first so that the Windows 8.1 product key can be "converted" to a Windows 10 product key?

Upgrade first, link to online account and activate, then clean install (offline probably), then switch to the online account. Activates in seconds. Verified here.

 

[Synomenon]

Link to online account and activate? What's the process for this?

So if I secure-erase my SSD then do a clean install of Windows 10 from a flash drive, it'll activate with my Windows 8.1 product key?

 

[nenforcer]

Link to online account and activate? What's the process for this?

So if I secure-erase my SSD then do a clean install of Windows 10 from a flash drive, it'll activate with my Windows 8.1 product key?

No you must first do the "Upgrade" on your existing Windows 8.1 installation and link / activate with a valid Microsoft account.

THEN you may secure-erase your SSD on the same machine and proceed to do the clean installation and when it asks for product activation put in your Microsoft Account information and it will know that machine was previously activated from the Windows 8.1 key is tied to that Microsoft Account.

 

[Railgun]

When will they make it easy? Here's my product key for Win7/8... Make the thing valid on Win10. Clean install from the get go. Holy crap...

 

[ImpulsE69]

I have a spare SSD that I'm thinking about ghosting my current drive, then doing the upgrade on that one. Do some testing, etc and leave the original untouched. Once I've determined if I want to move forward or not, wipe the original drive and install clean.

I'm assuming that since after you've done an upgrade, you can do a clean install, my process shouldn't be an issue?

 

[ImDonly1]

You don't need to use a microsoft account.
I did the upgrade, then did a clean re-install with no microsoft account on either of the installs. It is activated.

 

[RampantAndroid]

You don't need to use a microsoft account.
I did the upgrade, then did a clean re-install with no microsoft account on either of the installs. It is activated.

This is because the key gets written into your EFI I believe?

Either way, do the upgrade and then extract the key...free to do installs.

 

[buckshot24]

Any idea why the upgrade is asking for my product key? I used the same disc to install on 3 PCs successfully.

 

[nenforcer]

Any idea why the upgrade is asking for my product key? I used the same disc to install on 3 PCs successfully.

Probably just for verification purposes to make sure you are coming from a valid Windows 7 / 8.1 product key.

Is their a problem with their verfication server being overloaded with all of these people doing upgrades on the first day?

I have the Windows 7 Family 3-Pack license. I'm not quite sure if that is going to be able to activate on all 3 PC's, Moms', Dads' and Sisters'.

 

[buckshot24]

Well, I put my key in that came with the computer and it said it was invalid. I'm running it again through the media creation tool to see if that works better. The license is definitely legit. Plus the burnt iso had already installed successfully on 3 systems.

 

[Underclocked]

It isn't working as it should, at all. Any key you see will be a generic key the same as Windows Insiders got. Upgrading a retail copy of 7 or 8.1 will get you an activated Windows 10, but it is not retail and will not install with your retail key.

A reinstall will result in your retail 7 or 8.1 key being rejected as for some reason the upgrade will not have acknowledged your retail key in the first place. This is MESSED UP!!

I spent all night last night trying to get the upgrade to behave as it should so far as keys... no way.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...d/4af5e80c-8b14-42ae-bdc3-1f7a88c03985?page=2

 

[calyco]

Upgrade first, link to online account and activate, then clean install (offline probably), then switch to the online account. Activates in seconds. Verified here.

Wish I saw this one sentence before hours of frustration (thanks).

I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10

logged on to my account then tried to activate. Activation didn't work, maybe because of their servers?

I did not read enough and tried to do a clean install. Activation still not working. I went back to Win 7 32bit, then upgrade to Windows 10 32bit. Activation finally works. Now on clean install of 64. Fun morning with tons of waiting, load screens and updates.

 

[lobbyone]

Your Windows key is tied to your hardware ie motherboard. You have to have a validated product key from either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 when upgrading to Windows 10. After the first successful upgrade to Win10 your new key is generated within Windows and sent to Microsoft's servers, this is why you will not need a key when you decide to do a clean install.