How do I upgrade to Windows 10?

[DimitriBrut]

Alright, I've built a couple computers in the past, but I've never upgraded from one OS to another. If I'm upgrading to a new OS, I usually just build a new computer and buy the new OS. Since Windows 10 is free, I'm sort of wondering how I can pull this off. 

 

What I'm looking to do...

 

I'm going to pick up at least one Samsung 850 PRO this holiday season and I want a fresh install of windows on that drive, not my current 2TB HDD. I've picked up a few viruses on the old HDD and I want a fresh install on a different drive so I can diagnose my current drive (Just in case they've embedded themselves in the current OS) Where do I go to get Windows 10 on a flash drive? How do I acquire a key? I'm running a legit version of Windows 7 Premium, so the free upgrade shouldn't be an issue. I plan on using the old 2 TB HDD as a storage drive after I get it squared away. Will the current OS on this drive screw with the clean version of 10 on the new drive? I know I need to backup all my stuff before I do any of this... but my concern is passing viruses or malware to my external drives by accident. Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance!

[Fgtfv567]

Back up your important data before following the steps below

 

Head here first:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Download the 64 bit version and run it

Be sure you choose "Create installation media for another PC" This is important.

It should give you the option to put Win 10 on a USB stick

Unplug other hard drives

Install Win 10 off the stick onto the SSD

Plug in your win 7 key upon activation, the november update allows this now

Make sure Win 10 works on the SSD, install programs/drivers

Plug your other drives back in

Run anti-virus on the other drives

[DimitriBrut]

Back up your important data before following the steps below

 

Head here first:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Download the 64 bit version onto a USB stick and run it

Be sure you choose "Install on a new PC" This is important.

Unplug other hard drives

Install Win 10 off the stick onto the SSD

Plug in your win 7 key upon activation, the november update allows this now

Make sure Win 10 works on the SSD, install programs/drivers

Plug your other drives back in

Run anti-virus on the other drives

 

Thank you very much!

[Fgtfv567]

Thank you very much!

That's what I'm here for

Edit: Wait, run the media creation tool, and then it should give you the option to put it onto a USB stick

Edit2: I've changed that first post to reflect this first edit

[DimitriBrut]

That's what I'm here for

Edit: Wait, run the media creation tool, and then it should give you the option to put it onto a USB stick

Edit2: I've changed that first post to reflect this first edit

 

Will the storage drive having Windows 7 on it interfere with Windows 10 on the SSD?

[Fgtfv567]

Will the storage drive having Windows 7 on it interfere with Windows 10 on the SSD?

I don't think so, but whatever programs you used with Win 7, I very highly doubt will work with Win 10 on your SSD

[DimitriBrut]

I don't think so, but whatever programs you used with Win 7, I very highly doubt will work with Win 10 on your SSD

 

So rather than move my games over, I should just go with a clean reinstall?

[techguru]

this won't work anymore

ms pulled the 1511 build 

 

EDIT:

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/windows-10-november-update-was-pulled-for-forgetting-privacy-settings-its-now-back/

 

MIGHT BE FIXED NOW

[techguru]

heres what you have to do

backup important data

upgrade to win 10 on the 2tb...save nothing

once you are in win 10 and its activated..

then create a usb stick with the windows 10 tool....

shut down the pc and install the ssd

..boot to the usb stick from bios

continue with the win10 install..skip any diagloges asking for key

[DimitriBrut]

heres what you have to do

backup important data

upgrade to win 10 on the 2tb...save nothing

once you are in win 10 and its activated..

then create a usb stick with the windows 10 tool....

shut down the pc and install the ssd

..boot to the usb stick from bios

continue with the win10 install..skip any diagloges asking for key

 

Well that sure complicates things... Thank you for your post

[Fgtfv567]

this won't work anymore

ms pulled the 1511 build

They pulled the win 10 activation with a 7, 8, 8.1 key?!

[techguru]

They pulled the win 10 activation with a 7, 8, 8.1 key?!

sorta

if you are doing a clean install only

[Fgtfv567]

sorta

if you are doing a clean install only

That's not clear to me, I'm doing a clean install on a new drive without a previous upgrade, can I use my win 7 key without upgrading?

[techguru]

That's not clear to me, I'm doing a clean install on a new drive without a previous upgrade, can I use my win 7 key without upgrading?

no

gotta install 10240....then instal 1511/nov update....then in theory you should be able to use the 7/8 key to activate

 

I haven't actually tried it yet tho since they pulled the 1511 iso

[techguru]

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/windows-10-november-update-was-pulled-for-forgetting-privacy-settings-its-now-back/

 

looks like in the last few hours they fixed it

[Fgtfv567]

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/windows-10-november-update-was-pulled-for-forgetting-privacy-settings-its-now-back/

 

looks like in the last few hours they fixed it

Yay, I can do a clean install of 10 and use my Win 7 key again!!

[DimitriBrut]

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/11/windows-10-november-update-was-pulled-for-forgetting-privacy-settings-its-now-back/

 

looks like in the last few hours they fixed it

 

 

Yay, I can do a clean install of 10 and use my Win 7 key again!!

So can I go back to the origional plan again? lol

[Fgtfv567]

So can I go back to the origional plan again? lol

I believe so! Try it out, if you can't punch your Win 7 key into Win 10 on the SSD, just upgrade Win 7 on the HDD before installing Win 10 onto your SSD