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do I install windows 7 or windows 10 on a brand new hard drive?

Richard Christensen
Richard Christensen asked
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Last Modified: 2017-03-30
I have a Dell Inspiron, 6 years old.  I am fairly certain that the hard drive has failed.  It will not boot and I have completed all
the normal testing...repair, diagnosis, restore points, safe mode etc and it will not boot.  It came from the factory 6 years ago
with windows 7 preinstalled.  I have since upgraded it to windows 10 and windows 10 was activated with microsoft.  When I replace
the hard drive should I reinstall windows 7 or should I try to go directly to windows 10?  If I reinstall windows 7 and get it working properly can I upgrade to windows 10 since windows 10 was on this machine recently and it was working okay.  All this problem started about
1 week ago.
thanks,
capreol
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John TsioumprisIT Supervisor
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Richard ChristensenRetired computer technician

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Commented:
thanks John. Much appreciated.
capreol
JohnBusiness Consultant (Owner)
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Commented:
Windows 10 now allows you to replace a hard drive any number of times without issue. As noted above Licensing is in the Microsoft Licensing server.  I have done this.
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Colleen Kayter4D Assets

Commented:
Capreol, before you do Win10, I must recommend you check the Dell website for drivers. I retired my Studio XPS 6 months ago because Dell decided it was time I buy a new computer. They haven't published the needed drivers their OEM hardware requires with Win10 and will not publish the needed drivers. So I agreed with them. I bought a Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with Win10 Pro. ;-)
Uttam KumarTech Support Expert

Commented:
Just install the same version as you had earlier for Windows 10, you already have a digital license and it will get activated.
Gary CaseRetired
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"... Capreol, before you do Win10, I must recommend you check the Dell website for drivers "  ==>  No need to do this.   The system was running Windows 10 already, so there's no doubt there are drivers for it.    Windows 10 will almost certainly find what it needs with no need to download anything from Dell.
Colleen Kayter4D Assets

Commented:
TY, garycase. I missed that comment in my first read through. But after several episodes of driver hell will my vintage computers and new OS installs, I don't trust compatible drivers will always be found.
Richard ChristensenRetired computer technician

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Commented:
Thanks to all the experts.  I very much appreciate your assistance regarding this question.
capreol
Gary CaseRetired
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You're most welcome.     Don't forget to close the question.
Richard ChristensenRetired computer technician

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Commented:
thanks Gary.  How do I close the question?
capreol
Gary CaseRetired
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Commented:
Just click on "Best Solution" for the answer you found most helpful; and if you want to also give credit to other commenters you click on "Assisted Solution" for those.    When you're done, just click on "Accept Immediately" and it will be closed.

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