Can I install 7, and upgrade back to 10?

grizzly · 25-09-2016 02:57PM #1

I'm running 10 with loads of issues - core Microsoft programs not working (task bar interface, store, calculator etc.). Not sure if a bad update or virus.
Can I wipe and install 7, then use a USB to install 10?
I tried downloading 10 to to a clean install but got an error.

Axwell · 25-09-2016 03:01PM

I had lots of issues with going from Win 7 to 10 on my machine, mostly around graphics drivers and the like rather than core features and it just was a mess. What I did instead was took down the serial number for 10 they had given me from the upgrade then did a format and fresh install of just 10, skipping reinstalling 7 and used the key I had from the upgrade. Worked fine, just grabbed the usb files for 10 and booted from that. Running smoothly ever since.

Wasnt there a deadline date for upgrading for free? I know it was extended at one stage but has it been cut or not at this stage?

grizzly · 25-09-2016 03:06PM

I think the deadline for free has passed, but I heard that if you reinstall to so system with the same configuration (ie the same machine without too many components changed) you are use the free version again.

I was hoping that the same would be true if I did a clean install of 7 and upgraded via USB/download.

I didnt have an issue upgrading from 7 to 10 the first time round.

SickBoy · 25-09-2016 03:12PM

Once 10 is activated on your hardware it will activate again upon clean install of 10 so there's no need to install 7 first and then upgrade.
Also you don't need to take note of your product key, Microsoft have a database that stores your machines digital signature and when that signature requests activation it will activate.

grizzly · 25-09-2016 03:15PM

SickBoy wrote: »

Once 10 is activated on your hardware it will activate again upon clean install of 10 so there's no need to install 7 first and then upgrade.
Also you don't need to take note of your product key, Microsoft have a database that stores your machines digital signature and when that signature requests activation it will activate.

Unfortunately the faults on my system are preventing me installing a clean Windows 10 over my existing copy of 10. The program runs from inside Windows - not from a dos type environment. That way I was thinking of going this roundabout route.

SickBoy · 25-09-2016 03:22PM

grizzly wrote: »

Unfortunately the faults on my system are preventing me installing a clean Windows 10 over my existing copy of 10. The program runs from inside Windows - not from a dos type environment. That way I was thinking of going this roundabout route.

Not sure what you mean here but the best solution for you here would be to download the media creation tool (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/) and create bootable media USB or DVD. Then backup your important files and reboot with your new bootable media and blow away your current installation and install Windows 10 clean.

grizzly · 25-09-2016 04:43PM

Using the media creation tool to make a bootable USB I get this error;

I think it's related to the issues with the system I mentioned.

SickBoy · 25-09-2016 04:55PM

grizzly wrote: »

Using the media creation tool to make a bootable USB I get this error;

I think it's related to the issues with the system I mentioned.

Can you try and create the media using a different system?

25-09-2016 04:58PM

Give Rufus a try, I had hassle with the windows one before...

PropJoe10 · 25-09-2016 06:30PM

As the last person said, use the media creation tool to create an ISO file and then use Rufus to burn the ISO to your USB key:

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Can I install 7, and upgrade back to 10?

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