Windows 7 to Windows 10 upgrade etc

antc

antc

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Hi all,

Just looking for a bit of advice for people who have already been through this. I have two retail copies of Windows 7, which I want to upgrade to windows 10. One I have installed on a spare pc and I am going to go through the process of following the upgrade to Windows 10. The other copy is not installed on any pcs.

Am I correct in saying if I download the upgrade, I can then use the media creator tool to make a bootable usb stick with Windows 10 on it?

Also for that one pc that has Windows 7 on it that I do the upgrade on, I guess that then upgrades that Windows 7 key to a Windows 10 one. So for the version of Windows 7 that I haven't got installed anywhere at the moment, how do I get that key upgraded?

I hope this makes some kinda sense :) Love to hear/see what you guys have done.

Thanks in advance.
 
The upgrade transfers your windows 7 key into a new windows 10 key. Kew you can use the tool to create a bootable USB or dvd. However the version of windows 10 is then tied to that PC. You can reinstall windows 10 to that PC and it will automatically validate as it will recognise that windows 10 has been installed and the key. You cannot however as far as I am aware use the key to then install on a different PC.

For the other windows 7 license, you would have to install on a PC before you can upgrade. Again the windows 10 upgrade would then effectively be locked to that PC
 
mike_6480 said:
The upgrade transfers your windows 7 key into a new windows 10 key. Kew you can use the tool to create a bootable USB or dvd. However the version of windows 10 is then tied to that PC. You can reinstall windows 10 to that PC and it will automatically validate as it will recognise that windows 10 has been installed and the key. You cannot however as far as I am aware use the key to then install on a different PC.

For the other windows 7 license, you would have to install on a PC before you can upgrade. Again the windows 10 upgrade would then effectively be locked to that PC
Click to expand...

I didnt realise they would be tied to that particular pc. I thought the retail versions of Windows 7 I have could be installed on any pc, but only ever one at once. Shame as I don't actually have the pc yet I want the copies to go onto, but I wanted to make sure I could take advantage of the free upgrade from 7 to 10.

Raincloud said:
Do this:

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

Thanks for that, looks very useful, so looks like I can get the Win 10 iso 32/64 bit from there and then use the media creator tool to create the usb drive.
 
The w10 upgrade always gives the same licensing privileges as the original version of w7/w8.

If the original w7/w8 is an oem copy then the w10 upgrade will be oem and tied to just one machine for life.

If the original w7/w8 is a retail version (boxed or downloaded) then the w10 upgrade can be moved to a new machine at any time. I think the only "catch" is that the first install on the new machine must be an upgrade rather than clean install, but once upgraded it can then be formatted and clean installed on the new machine at any time.
 
I upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 without any problems. It took about half hour or a bit longer. But I have a very fast notebook with 3. generation i7 processor and SSD. On an average computer the upgrade could take much longer.
 
For me the upgrade went quite well, however, I'm about as enamoured with windows 10 as I was with 8.1. I found it to be somewhat unstable, parts of it don't work, there are updates almost daily...all in all it seems to be going the same way as Windows 8. I'm seriously contemplating buying another Mac...I had one many years ago and loved it. All I need now is a bit of a lottery win and the new mac will be on its way.
Sorry if this sounds like a bit of a whinge but W10 really is doing my head in. :)
 
Brom said:
Sorry if this sounds like a bit of a whinge but W10 really is doing my head in. :)
Click to expand...

Same feelings but towards OSX and the horrific networking, hence the Macbook Retina sat in the corner collecting dust.. Out of interest which parts of W10 don't work?
 
Still getting prompts from Microsoft to install Windows 10, but I'm hearing about too many problems after the upgrade.

To be honest W7 has worked fine for me, so may not bother.

If it aint broke, and all that
 
antc said:
I didnt realise they would be tied to that particular pc
Click to expand...
You are correct. Only OEM versions are tied to a particular PC. Retail versions can be transferred between computers as long it is on one pc at a time. You will probably have to go through the telephone activation process when installing your retail copy of Windows to different computers.
 
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Neilc28 said:
Out of interest which parts of W10 don't work?
Click to expand...

Neil,
some of the problems I've encountered since upgrading to W10...
  • some items on the task bar work, others do not.
  • some problems with the touchpad, I've started to use a mouse instead.
  • USB ports are not always recognised.
  • Blue screen after some updates.
  • Typing from keyboard is occasionally slow.
Some of the problems are fixed (temporarily) by restarting, others are not.
I chose the upgrade path as opposed to a clean install as I didn't want to reinstall all my apps and files, I think, had I done a clean install I may not have had so many problems.
I really wish I had stuck with W7 and not upgraded to W8 or W10.
 
Not sure if any of you guys having issues have done so, but if it were me, i would be doing a totally fresh install of w10. Always the best way I feel.
 
From memory, there's no rush to upgrade as the free offer is on for a year anyway so plenty of time to decide if its for you.

Incidentally, on my PC, I installed Windows 7 (64bit retail version), then upgraded it to Windows 8, then 8.1 (both versions of 8 were free I think) and then the free upgrade to 10. I then installed my retail 7 (but used the 32bit version) on my netbook and upgraded that straight to 10. All versions of 7,8 and 10 were all validated as genuine :)
 
northernbiff said:
Ahh, another W 10 upgrade thread.
I've gone back to W7 after installing W 10. Didn't like it one little bit I'm afraid. FYI, you can always roll back to 7 without any hassle.
Click to expand...
But you only have a month to roll back. After a month it can't be done.
 
After much prompting I finally downloaded W10 yesterday, with the intention of installing at a later date (probably).
I get to the end of the download and yes, I have the option to install later. Any day between now and Sunday, no option to name my own date or to hold over.
I've opted for the last date offered, when the time comes will I get the option to delay?
 
Brom said:
Neil,
some of the problems I've encountered since upgrading to W10...
  • some items on the task bar work, others do not.
  • some problems with the touchpad, I've started to use a mouse instead.
  • USB ports are not always recognised.
  • Blue screen after some updates.
  • Typing from keyboard is occasionally slow.
Some of the problems are fixed (temporarily) by restarting, others are not.
I chose the upgrade path as opposed to a clean install as I didn't want to reinstall all my apps and files, I think, had I done a clean install I may not have had so many problems.
I really wish I had stuck with W7 and not upgraded to W8 or W10.
Click to expand...

I'm having these issues on my desktop but the laptop works 100%.
 
for what it's worth i think the USB ports issue could be older USB3 controllers with no specific driver available?

my asus board with NEC/Renesas USB3 ports has no specific W10 driver, the Windows one occasionally drops out requiring the USB controller to be uninstalled and then rebooted.
 
boliston said:
The w10 upgrade always gives the same licensing privileges as the original version of w7/w8.

If the original w7/w8 is an oem copy then the w10 upgrade will be oem and tied to just one machine for life.

If the original w7/w8 is a retail version (boxed or downloaded) then the w10 upgrade can be moved to a new machine at any time. I think the only "catch" is that the first install on the new machine must be an upgrade rather than clean install, but once upgraded it can then be formatted and clean installed on the new machine at any time.
Click to expand...

redsnappa said:
You are correct. Only OEM versions are tied to a particular PC. Retail versions can be transferred between computers as long it is on one pc at a time. You will probably have to go through the telephone activation process when installing your retail copy of Windows to different computers.
Click to expand...
Just to clear this up. From my understanding W7 retail to W10 does NOT make it a W10 retail copy. What happens is you upgrade to a W10 hardware hash vs an actual license key. You can then reinstall W10 full at any time to the same hardware to rebuild from scratch without the need to first install W7 again and upgrade over the top. Once July 2016 ticks over there will be no free upgrades to W10, that program will cease. So if your PC dies after July 2016 you will be back to using a W7 retail license and be unable to upgrade it to W10 (that license died with the previous PC hardware hash).
 
Graham W said:
After much prompting I finally downloaded W10 yesterday, with the intention of installing at a later date (probably).
I get to the end of the download and yes, I have the option to install later. Any day between now and Sunday, no option to name my own date or to hold over.
I've opted for the last date offered, when the time comes will I get the option to delay?
Click to expand...

I did exactly this, was expecting it would prompt me before going ahead with anything, because I was still unsure about the upgrade...did it? nope! it only installed the whole bloody thing and upgraded to win10 all be its self when I was away for the day (normally leave my pc on) I came back and nearly lost the plot! lucky I am finding no real issues with windows 10 and find it more streamlined than win7...win10 however is EXTREMELY intrusive by default, but there are ways to regain your privacy. I recommend following this video to do that:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rczgCmoNSSE&index=9&list=PLiGlUks5i-wPqY2bgtXVPIsaN-2w2221O
 
Thanks for that link.
The witching hour came, and yes, I was offered a stay of execution...for three more days. I don't know whether i'll be able to keep delaying indefinitely.
I'm sure that there's a good chance that Windows 10 will be absolutely fine, but the solutions being offered up to some folks issues are a good bit beyond my capabilities.
I'm really not qualified to be Microsoft's unpaid beta tester.
 
Graham W said:
Thanks for that link.
The witching hour came, and yes, I was offered a stay of execution...for three more days. I don't know whether i'll be able to keep delaying indefinitely.
I'm sure that there's a good chance that Windows 10 will be absolutely fine, but the solutions being offered up to some folks issues are a good bit beyond my capabilities.
I'm really not qualified to be Microsoft's unpaid beta tester.
Click to expand...

yes but after them 3 days it will download and install regardless, honestly windows 10 is ok (for me) and performance benchmarks are up from older o/s's, all adobe software seems to work fine as well...plus win10 supports Directx12, which should bring some pretty good performance jumps for higher end gpu's. its only a matter of time before older versions are made obsolete and give up support.
 
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Sharky said:
. Once July 2016 ticks over there will be no free upgrades to W10, that program will cease. So if your PC dies after July 2016 you will be back to using a W7 retail license
Click to expand...
From your logic it mean that someone who upgrade from Win XP to Vista to Win 7 then to Win 10 will have to go back to using Windows XP
 
I installed Win 10 on my 32 bit Asus netbook but it ran ever so slow so had to revert to Win 7. I haven't tried it on 64 bit PC yet.
 
I went from 8.1 to 10, all sound stopped working along with youtube and other streaming. Reverted and alls well again, don't think I'll bother again, wasn't that impressive either
 
gone 8.1 to windows 10 on my work laptop - works fine, no issues so far apart from having to install an updated VPN client. All other items kept and working.

Might actually do it at home once i have a backup.
 
technics100 said:
I have the icon but it just won't download it..
Click to expand...

These could be some possibilities:

1. Your device isn’t up-to-date with at least Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update.

2. Windows Update is turned off or is not set to received updates automatically.

3. You’ve blocked or uninstalled the necessary Windows Update functionality.


4. Your device is running Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, or Windows RT/RT 8.1, which are excluded from this reservation offer.

5. Your device is managed as part of a school or business network. (Check with your IT administrator.)
 
Will check it out later, but windows update is on and it shouldn't be enterprise as it's a home PC..
 
Installed build 10547 (TH2 pre-release build) yesterday, 10240 (the official current release build) today for comparison.

MS have broken something since the official release and the pre-release, the return value from a windows SDK API call has changed between the two versions which borks my logic for processing it, and does it in such a spectacular way that it also breaks me from pushing automatic updates to my customers if they patch to the the current pre-release. This code to call the API has worked since Windows 2000, no idea what Microsoft were thinking changing it to function in a way entirely contradictory to their own documentation.

Anyway, I'm not terribly happy with Microsoft today :(
 
My window 7 upgrade crashes at the end when its ment to update! Anoying
 
If anyone is fed up with all this, give Mint, Ubuntu, Kubuntu or similar OS a try. Stick one on a USB stick, reboot, play, surf and then decide. Like many before you, it's quite a relief and a fresh new start.
 
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