How do I install a clean Windows 10 Pro without the need to upgrade an existing OS?
I currently run Windows 7 Pro but I have it had for a long time and the disk is very cluttered and it seems to get slower every day.
Instead of using the free upgrade to Windows 10 that is being offered, I want to format my disk and install a full, clean version of Windows 10 Pro.
How do I do this? Do I have to buy the DVD? Aren't they only available to OEMs?
Instead of using the free upgrade to Windows 10 that is being offered, I want to format my disk and install a full, clean version of Windows 10 Pro.
How do I do this? Do I have to buy the DVD? Aren't they only available to OEMs?
It would be a good idea to reinstall Windows 7 before embarking on Windows 10. I am running Windows 10.
First, make sure your computer is new enough (< 3 years old) and has Intel graphics or has Windows 10 Drivers for the computer you have.
If you do not have a recovery partition or recovery DVD's, you can try the following (since you are willing to do a fresh install).
Uninstall all software (Office, Adobe and so on).
Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator and run SFC /SCANNOW twice. Close out, shut down and start up.
Then go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and install Windows 10.
First, make sure your computer is new enough (< 3 years old) and has Intel graphics or has Windows 10 Drivers for the computer you have.
If you do not have a recovery partition or recovery DVD's, you can try the following (since you are willing to do a fresh install).
Uninstall all software (Office, Adobe and so on).
Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator and run SFC /SCANNOW twice. Close out, shut down and start up.
Then go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and install Windows 10.
One of the options when you do the free installation of Windows 10 is how much to keep ==> if you answer NOTHING then it will do a clean install of the OS. Be sure, of course, if you do this that you've (a) backed up all of your data; and (b) have the installation media for any programs you use [Office, Photoshop, Quicken, etc.]
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Sorry for the delay but this method worked well -thanks.
Is there any confirmation that the 1511 build of Win10 (a.k.a TH2) will allow a clean install of Windows 10 with activation using a genuine Win7/8/8.1 product key of the same edition?
See https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/7122/windows-10-fall-update-is-set-for-november-release (in particular Activation Changes)
If it works, it means upgrade-then-clean-install
See https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/7122/windows-10-fall-update-is-set-for-november-release (in particular Activation Changes)
If it works, it means upgrade-then-clean-install
Once Windows 10 has been installed and activated initially (even if it has issues), a fresh install can be initiated with the Media Creation link I posted (which is pretty much the same as the accepted solution).
http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/
You can upgrade and then tell it to perform a clean install. Kind of backwards but at least it's free.