Win 10 Install and Upgrade-Preview Future Release 1703. Aka Creators Edition.

[FrankRamiro]

i did upgrade My Hp's but my lenovo did not yet get win 10 update

 

[Thor86]

Just an FYI, I lost the Win10 Icon on my 8.1 SP3 but was able to force auto update it by using these steps:

http://www.redmondpie.com/force-download-windows-10-free-upgrade-right-now-heres-how-tutorial/

 

[JackMDS]

I just installed Win10 RTM a few weeks ago. I'd rather not do a clean install.

Would this work:
1) Image current Win10 RTM setup
2) Install clean Win8.1 and activate
3) Run Win10 upgrade inside Win8.1 to generate hardware hash/key
4) Restore Win10 RTM image
5) Reactivate Win10

Would the system recognize the hardware hash after the restore?

In most cases Image clean totally the HD before Installing so the traces of all your good work concerning Win 7/8.1/10 would be gone.

In theory your scenario might work if the Activation server has Data about your specific computer hardware detached from keys, and its programed to make the deduction that you are a Good Guy.

May be! But I doubt that it is So.

 

[us3rnotfound]

It works, only did an upgrade. I never do upgrades lol.

 

[guskline]

Upgrade worked well on my 3770k and is still installing on my 5960x. I did not wait; rather downloaded the media tool from MS for Win 10 64 and then choose upgrade.

I've been working with Win 10 preview since the beginning on another ssd on the 3770k rig so it all was very easy.

 

[VirtualLarry]

For those that are using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from MS - they have 32-bit, 64-bit, and "both". How does the "both" option work? I presume it's a single ISO, that installs to either 32-bit or 64-bit capable systems. Is it somehow auto-detect (prefer x64 if available), or does it prompt you to choose one during the installation phase? How does it work for an upgrade, overtop, on an existing system? Does it still let you choose? Or auto-select (same as current OS)?

 

[Chocu1a]

Ran upgrade while I was at work. Came home, PC was all ready to go. Love the new UI.

 

[daveybrat]

Went to Microsoft's website and downloaded the Windows 10 64-Bit installation. Upgraded from Windows 8.1 and everything went smooth as silk. All my programs and drivers are working great. Also upgraded my Nvidia card to the new drivers as well.

So far i'm loving the new OS. Very fast and snappy. Titanfall even seems smoother.

Thumbs up from me so far!

 

[OlyAR15]

Downloaded the ISOs and installed on 3 machines. Well, had 2 successes and one failure.

First machine I upgraded was my 1st Win8 system, so I figured it should be the first win10 upgrade: my Wacom Cintiq tablet. Everything went well, no issues.

Second machine is my file server/HTPC which had an old 3ware RAID card that I was worried about. Installed Win10 pro and again, everything went well.

Third machine is my gaming rig in my sig. Everything went well but no sound. Turns out that DTS Connect is borked, even after I upgraded to the latest drivers on Asus' website. So, got to test the reversion process, which at least worked smoothly and reverted back to Win 8.1.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

So after I upgrade from 7 for free, will I have a key that I can use for future installations? I'd prefer to use clean installs in the future.

 

[JackMDS]

For those that are using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from MS - they have 32-bit, 64-bit, and "both". How does the "both" option work? I presume it's a single ISO, that installs to either 32-bit or 64-bit capable systems. Is it somehow auto-detect (prefer x64 if available), or does it prompt you to choose one during the installation phase? How does it work for an upgrade, overtop, on an existing system? Does it still let you choose? Or auto-select (same as current OS)?

The size of the x86 x 64 is almost 6GB.

So if one get a Flash Drive it has to be slightly larger than 6GB, or if it goes to DVD One need DL Burner and DL DVD media.

The "Burned" Media is configured like a Dual Boot Drive, once you start it the Boot brinks a menu and you can make your choice.

 

[Puffnstuff]

My laptop upgraded just fine but I just finished rolling my desktop back to 8.1 and that is where it will stay. I might even roll my tablet back so I can get my touchpad to work again. Win 10 says that it installed the software and the asus installer will not let me reinstall it. So for me my laptop is running 10 pro 64 bit just fine but the other two are bust. To make matter worse when I tried to perform a clean install of 10 on my desktop it wanted a key which Microsoft said it wouldn't require - it's right on their windows 10 website. Needless to say unless I'm going to do a clean install of 8.1 when my Samsung 850 pro gets here and get everything tidied up real nice again. If your upgrade went well I salute you.

 

[JackMDS]

So after I upgrade from 7 for free, will I have a key that I can use for future installations? I'd prefer to use clean installs in the future.

I tried it and did not work this way.

Because of the current load there are features that refuse to work for many people while they are working for others.

Many issues are Not as yet clarified by MS, so it is Hard to know where we stand on them.

 

[maddogchen]

I downloaded the media creation tool and picked create Windows 10 Pro 64-bit on USB, it just says Something Happened and then nothing...same thing to ISO file.

Any ideas what to do?

Edit: Figured it out that I needed to be in a Administrator User account for it to be able to work.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I downloaded the media creation tool and picked create Windows 10 Pro 64-bit on USB, it just says Something Happened and then nothing...same thing to ISO file.

Any ideas what to do?

Unstable overclock? Out of disk space?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I tried it and did not work this way.

Because of the current load there are features that refuse to work for many people while they are working for others.

Many issues are Not as yet clarified by MS, so it is Hard to know where we stand on them.

Yeah, unless I get an actual, unique, installation product key for Windows 10, during the upgrade process, I'm not going to do it. Screw having to rely on MS's servers to "remember" that I'm a valid Win10 user. Or having to use an MSID (and still use MS's servers to remember).

 

[Red Hawk]

Thanks for this! Been able to install Windows 10 directly on 3 computers so far without having to wait for a "reservation". Still, I can understand why Windows is using this staggered rollout rather than emphasizing that people can download it from that link -- if everyone downloaded at once, it would be hell on Microsoft's servers.

 

[Toro 45]

No problem installing on my laptops but I'm getting this error on my desktop install "we couldn't update the system reserved partition" any ideas?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Installed successfully using the Media tool. (Windows Update kept failing.)

Having trouble installing nvidia drivers. Downloaded the new one but it won't install, old ones won't uninstall.

Meh. I'll get it.

 

[Chocu1a]

Installed successfully using the Media tool. (Windows Update kept failing.)

Having trouble installing nvidia drivers. Downloaded the new one but it won't install, old ones won't uninstall.

Meh. I'll get it.

Try restarting your pc. Worked for me. Allowed me to install the W10 driver.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Try restarting your pc. Worked for me. Allowed me to install the W10 driver.

That worked. *sigh*

I use Linux too much.

 

[escrow4]

Yeah, unless I get an actual, unique, installation product key for Windows 10, during the upgrade process, I'm not going to do it. Screw having to rely on MS's servers to "remember" that I'm a valid Win10 user. Or having to use an MSID (and still use MS's servers to remember).

Its linked to a Microsoft account and you can dig it out of settings (the actual key).

 

[fire400]

bypass wait-list:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2469675,00.asp
---

steps for getting your windows 10 key:

-clone or back up partitions/files as necessary, the traditional w10 upgrade path will prevent new OS's from being installed, and may lock your partition arrangements with an "OEM" signature (annoying) enhancement across your w10 OS drive array. or simply pull our your primary drive, use a mock drive with 8.1 installed on it.
-if the device manager seems complete with your drivers, then backup windows/system32/drivers + drivers store

-install as upgrade, your programs and settings from 8.1 will attempt to retain itself
-create recovery media here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

-extract your product key within windows 10 OS using extraction tool:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

the tool may identify it as an 8.1 key, but in fact will work with a fresh w10 installation.

-wipe/remove/add drive and set aside appropriate allocated space for your w10 partition

-boot from w10 ISO (must be correct version; pro or non-pro) and enter w10 product key that was recorded from extraction tool

-proceed with setup.
-connecting to the internet will activate your 'matching' version of windows.

-any missing drivers, refer to the old windows/system32/drivers + drivers store folder that was saved from earlier.

---
other notes:
-teamviewer as of july 2015 has issues with virtual desktop on w10
-fresh install of w10 preferred over upgrade path - no old programs move over
-primary windows 10 wallpaper looks grainy and low resolution-like (sad)
-w10 gets even more plain and boring compared to w8.1, and seems to steal the layout of the usual popular default linux skin sets.
-classic shell works in w10 !!!!
-w10 start menu inferior to windows 7 start menu, it seems
-virtual desktop is nice, but could use some work with the default hotkeys...
-no more charms bar... (good and bad)
-windows + A = action center
-tiles in the start menu are a bit absurd...
-multi-boot works with win7/win8 on fresh install

good luck!!

 

[pcgeek11]

Yeah, I have the same issue. My Win7 key is a TechNet key that's been in use for years and has activated on at least two different motherboards over those years. I installed 10 on a spare SDD so I am good.

"The activation server determined the specified product key has been blocked"

I'm going to consider this bogus for now and see if the dust settles soon. I installed it on my desktop but I use my laptop 99% of the time so it's no biggee.

I see that I can't do any customizations until I have a valid key installed. Niiiice. I can't even change the screen resolution. I can barely read anything right now.

Clean Installation requires this procedure:

How to perform a clean installation of Windows
Warning

If you format a drive partition during installation, any data on the partition will be erased. Be sure to back up any data you want to keep before you begin.

Turn on your PC, insert the DVD or USB flash drive, and then shut down your PC.

Restart your PC, and then press any key to boot from the DVD or USB flash drive.

If you restart your PC and your current version of Windows starts, you might have to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC's BIOS or UEFI settings so that your PC boots from the media. To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you'll typically need to press a combination of keys (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after you turn on your PC. For instructions on changing the boot order for your PC, check the documentation that came with your PC or go to the manufacturer's website.

If changing the boot menu or order doesn't work, try again by signing into Windows, shutting down, and then starting your PC.

On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next.

Select Install Windows.

On the Enter the product key to activate Windows page, enter your product key. The product key should be in a purchase confirmation email if you bought Windows 10. It looks like this: PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
Note

If you upgraded to Windows 10 on this PC by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer and successfully activated Windows 10 on this PC in the past, you won't have a Windows 10 product key, and you can skip the product key page by selecting the Skip button. Your PC will activate online automatically so long as the same edition of Windows 10 was successfully activated on this PC by using the free Windows 10 upgrade offer.

On the License terms page, if you accept the license terms, select I accept the license terms, and then select Next.

On the Which type of installation do you want? page, select Custom.

On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select the partition that you want, select the formatting option you want to perform (if needed), and then follow the instructions.

When you've finished formatting, select Next.

Follow the rest of the setup instructions to finish installing Windows.

 

[boomerang]

If you upgraded to Windows 10 on this PC by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer and successfully activated Windows 10 on this PC in the past, you won't have a Windows 10 product key, and you can skip the product key page by selecting the Skip button. Your PC will activate online automatically so long as the same edition of Windows 10 was successfully activated on this PC by using the free Windows 10 upgrade offer.

But I did not take advantage of the free upgrade offer. I had the eval copy installed on a spare SSD. One option now would be to wait until I get notified the upgrade is ready to be installed on the PC in question which is running Win7, install it and hope for the best. I downloaded a fresh copy of the final release using the Media Creation Tool and did a clean install on that same spare SSD wiping the existing partitions as part of the process. If I'd done an upgrade on that I might have been OK. Just to be clear, my Win7 is safe and secure on another SSD.

On a related tangent, I think I may have made the same error twice. I know that when using the Media Creation Tool the first time I downloaded the wrong version of Win10. I rarely use the desktop and as such I lost track in my mind that I had the Ultimate version of Win7 on it. On my first install of Win10 I had downloaded the Home version. It would not activate. Reading this thread got me thinking and when I realized my error, I used the MCT again and downloaded the Pro version of Win10. But it won't activate either.

I don't recall what I downloaded when I had the eval copy in place but it did activate. It seems like one of the installs of the final should have activated. I'm not opposed to doing an upgrade install but I don't have any confidence that it will activate at this point. I should probably image what I've got first though if I do. That will save me a lot of work.

It's all a bit strange. I can't find a number to call but even if I did, I'll bet the phone lines will be jammed for weeks.

Just for informational purposes I was able to change the screen resolution after a bit. It appears video drivers were being installed silently in the background when I tried to change it initially. Still can't do any personalization though. It wants to be activated first.

We're leaving Saturday for a week so I may not be able to futz with it until after we return.