Windows 10: We couldn't update the system reserved partition.

[Snake1616]

The title is the error message I get when trying to update. The issue is that I don't have a system reserved partition. Presumably because I dual-booted with Linux at one point.

 

 

What are my options for updating and keeping my data as well?

[techguru]

The title is the error message I get when trying to update. The issue is that I don't have a system reserved partition. Presumably because I dual-booted with Linux at one point.

 

 

What are my options for updating and keeping my data as well?

backup data

then you'd probably have to use something like partition magic to fix your partitions

[techguru]

keep in mind this might always totally destroy your main boot drive...why I say backup your important data first

[Snake1616]

My data isn't actually that important. There's very little I want to keep as most of what I'd consider 'important' is data for online games, which, of course, I will always have.

 

If I was willing to backup the small amount of files I want to keep, would using my Win 7 disk to fresh reinstall allow me to then upgrade to windows 10?

 

On a side note, when I tried to install windows 10 on that 18GB unallocated partition via USB, despite being too small, which I suspected, it didn't recognize my product key. Now, this is the product key that came with the laptop and it also matches the one you can obtain from Windows, yet it was unrecognized? That worries me because if I were then to reinstall windows, it would be considered un-genuine and I would not be able to upgrade. Seems like I'm in a pretty crappy position here, lol.

[techguru]

My data isn't actually that important. There's very little I want to keep as most of what I'd consider 'important' is data for online games, which, of course, I will always have.

 

If I was willing to backup the small amount of files I want to keep, would using my Win 7 disk to fresh reinstall allow me to then upgrade to windows 10?

 

On a side note, when I tried to install windows 10 on that 18GB unallocated partition via USB, despite being too small, which I suspected, it didn't recognize my product key. Now, this is the product key that came with the laptop and it also matches the one you can obtain from Windows, yet it was unrecognized? That worries me because if I were then to reinstall windows, it would be considered un-genuine and I would not be able to upgrade. Seems like I'm in a pretty crappy position here, lol.

if you can

wipe out your windows 7 or 8...delete all partitions

reinstall 7 or 8...and then do the upgrade

 

and after the upgrade you can do a clean install with the windows 10 10240 build cd key

[Snake1616]

if you can

wipe out your windows 7 or 8...delete all partitions

reinstall 7 or 8...and then do the upgrade

But I'm concerned that I will need the product key for this to work, and my product key doesn't seem to work.  

[techguru]

But I'm concerned that I will need the product key for this to work, and my product key doesn't seem to work.  

long as you activate your windows 7 or 8

you don't need a seperate key for win 10

[Snake1616]

But if I reinstall windows 7 from the disc, it will ask for the product key, right?

[techguru]

But if I reinstall windows 7 from the disc, it will ask for the product key, right?

yes

but you can get that key from your current install

use magic jelly bean

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

[techguru]

http://winaero.com/blog/generic-key-to-install-windows-10-rtm/

 

heres the windows 10 key you use ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THE UPGRADE AND BOTHER TO DO THE CLEAN INSTALL

DO NOT DO A CLEAN INSTALL UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THE UPGRADE 

[Snake1616]

Already got the key, it's just that I'm worried it won't work, because A) On http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery, it tells me this:

 

and B - When I tried to install windows 10 from a USB it claimed my product key was unrecognized.

 

This is for the windows 7 clean install, which I will require my original key for, I presume?

[techguru]

Already got the key, it's just that I'm worried it won't work, because A) On http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery, it tells me this:

 

and B - When I tried to install windows 10 from a USB it claimed my product key was unrecognized.

what version of windows do you got right now?

and brand of pc?

[Snake1616]

It's Windows 7. It's a custom laptop from PC Specialist (http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/)

[techguru]

It's Windows 7. It's a custom laptop from PC Specialist (http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/)

home...pro...ulimtate.....in pc properlties

does it say oem for activation?

does it have sp1?

[Snake1616]

home...pro...ulimtate.....in pc properlties

does it say oem for activation?

does it have sp1?

Oh, my bad. It's Win 7 Home SP 1, no, it doesn't say OEM for activation, it says Windows is activated.

[techguru]

Oh, my bad. It's Win 7 Home SP 1, no, it doesn't say OEM for activation, it says Windows is activated.

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1-U ISO (Refresh)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

x86

Part- X17-58996

en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x86_dvd_u_676701.iso

SHA1: 6071B4553FCF0EA53D589A846B5AE76743DD68FC

ISO/CRC: 85B5EF4A

 

 

x64

Part- X17-58997

en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso

SHA1: 6C9058389C1E2E5122B7C933275F963EDF1C07B9

ISO/CRC: 4A182640

 

you want one of these iso's then

can't really tell you where to get them here

but msg me private

[Snake1616]

 

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1-U ISO (Refresh)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

x86

Part- X17-58996

en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x86_dvd_u_676701.iso

SHA1: 6071B4553FCF0EA53D589A846B5AE76743DD68FC

ISO/CRC: 85B5EF4A

 

 

x64

Part- X17-58997

en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso

SHA1: 6C9058389C1E2E5122B7C933275F963EDF1C07B9

ISO/CRC: 4A182640

 

you want one of these iso's then

can't really tell you where to get them here

but msg me private

 

Don't need the ISO. Just need to know if it's safe to do a clean install from the disc that I own for Windows 7 when I have a potentially dodgy product key for some reason. If that will solve my issue by restoring the system reserved partition and allowing me to update to windows 10, then that's fine. If not, then it  seems like sending it back to PC Specialist would be the best option.

[techguru]

Don't need the ISO. Just need to know if it's safe to do a clean install from the disc that I own for Windows 7 when I have a potentially dodgy product key for some reason. If that will solve my issue by restoring the system reserved partition and allowing me to update to windows 10, then that's fine. If not, then it  seems like sending it back to PC Specialist would be the best option.

my guess is that you will be able to activate your windows 7 with the product key only after you are in windows

you will have to skip the activation in the setup at first..then when you are in windows

go to activation and put in the key

 

worst comes to worst..I can give you another option in private