Windows 10 - free upgrade to those with PC using Windows 7 or 8

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Was it an upgraded laptop from 7 to 8? Or OEM 8.1?

Laptop was originally Win 7 (Home Premium) with a free upgrade to 8. It was running a clean install of 8 (upgraded to 8.1).

EDIT: Nevermind. I just looked at the email from MS containing the Win 8 Key from back when the gave the free upgrade. Apparently I had Win 8 Pro and never realized it. So they did upgrade me to Pro, but it was with Win 8 and I just never noticed (never had reason to I guess).

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Laptop was originally Win 7 (Home Premium) with a free upgrade to 8. It was running a clean install of 8 (upgraded to 8.1).

EDIT: Nevermind. I just looked at the email from MS containing the Win 8 Key from back when the gave the free upgrade. Apparently I had Win 8 Pro and never realized it. So they did upgrade me to Pro, but it was with Win 8 and I just never noticed (never had reason to I guess).

[RHWright]

Thanks for all the valuable discussion, folks!

My update is waiting for me, finally.

This discussion reminded me that I should pull out the dedicated USB I made when I got my laptop and make sure it has the latest recovery data. Then I'll do the update.

I'm good with most other data backups, but this one always slips my mind as I have not had to use it, ever. But better safe than sorry.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by RHWright

Thanks for all the valuable discussion, folks!

My update is waiting for me, finally.

This discussion reminded me that I should pull out the dedicated USB I made when I got my laptop and make sure it has the latest recovery data. Then I'll do the update.

I'm good with most other data backups, but this one always slips my mind as I have not had to use it, ever. But better safe than sorry.

Good Luck!

[dkperez]

eschwartz, I don't get the page on ANY of my machines using Firefox, OR Internet Explorer. Don't know if it's just not in the US or what.

In THEORY, I have the file downloading from the 64-bit link you provided. There seems to be some discussion, but HOPEFULLY (someone confirm) I can INSTALL OR UPDATE from this ISO AND do EITHER Pro or Home? I have systems running both Pro and Home, and I may just blow away the laptops and do clean installs if W10 isn't going to force me to do something ridiculous with license keys.

kennyc - the link you provided is just the same thing that lets me download the media creation tool that's never worked. I'm giving up on that if the other download works...

Can someone ABSOLUTELY confirm that the ISO I download from

64-bit English: http://software-download.microsoft.c...2cfe3db4b9cf3c

WILL let me do EITHER a clean install OR an upgrade AND has BOTH Pro and Home versions?

[ApK]

I took the leap with my new 8.1 touch screen laptop and and older windows 7 laptop. No problems that a few minutes of googling couldn't solve so far.
I'm still convinced MS is Evil, though.

[eschwartz]

@dkperez

Maybe Microsoft has decided that only linux users who can't run Windows executables are allowed to download the ISO direct.


https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...d/windows10ISO

Select edition

Windows 10 editions below are valid for both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro.[LIST][*]Windows 10[*]Windows 10 KN[*]Windows 10 N[*]Windows 10 Single Language

So I have to assume either a bunch of people in this thread are mad as hatters, or the direct download ISO is different from the MCT-produced ISO, or MS is telling a really weird lie.


Other than that, you just mount the ISO and run setup.exe.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

If I understand you correctly, you tried to upgrade your wife's notebook from 8.1 using the iso on DVD/USB drive obtained using the Media Creation Tool?

If so, where did you get the key for Windows 10 Home that you say you entered.

The key is embedded in the motherboard, and also on a sticker.

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

My understanding is that to use an iso on media (whether purchased or downloaded using the Media Creation Tool, or directly from Microsoft downloads) the target PC has to have been updated by the free offer process online, or by using the direct installation process of the Media Creation Tool first, or by purchasing a key (a purchased key does not have to be for the same version of Windows 7/8/10 that was previously on the PC).

I do not know why it is like that but I assume that one reason is that the iso on media that one may burn now using the Tool, will still be in your possession after the 1 years free upgrade offer ends.

Apologies if I have misunderstood your post.

All I really know is that the install from a USB drive created on a Pro machine failed, but a fresh download from MCT to the Home machine succeeded. That leads me to believe that the ISO for Pro is different than that for a Home machine. The difference may be only the version flag or it could be more extensive, I did not do a file comparison to see, nor will I wast my time just to satisfy my curiosity.

[dkperez]

"Maybe Microsoft has decided that only linux users who can't run Windows executables are allowed to download the ISO direct. "

I sure can't say it's NOT possible... Also it's possible I've gotten to the point where I'm just too much of a curmudgeon to put up with Microsoft's games any more and I'll have to run Windows 7 'til I'm pushing up daisies!

As for MS being evil... I never thought EVIL in the past, but this thing with W10 may change my mind... Venal, unscrupulous, conscienceless, perhaps. I reserved EVIL for companies like Oracle, and more recently Adobe. I think back to how easy XP was to install, and how productive it was, and I find it very difficult to consider anything since then an improvement.

BUT, as was said earlier "maybe I'm JUST NOT in the mood to get this to work"...

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by dkperez

eschwartz, I don't get the page on ANY of my machines using Firefox, OR Internet Explorer. Don't know if it's just not in the US or what.

In THEORY, I have the file downloading from the 64-bit link you provided. There seems to be some discussion, but HOPEFULLY (someone confirm) I can INSTALL OR UPDATE from this ISO AND do EITHER Pro or Home? I have systems running both Pro and Home, and I may just blow away the laptops and do clean installs if W10 isn't going to force me to do something ridiculous with license keys.

kennyc - the link you provided is just the same thing that lets me download the media creation tool that's never worked. I'm giving up on that if the other download works...

Can someone ABSOLUTELY confirm that the ISO I download from

64-bit English: http://software-download.microsoft.c...2cfe3db4b9cf3c

WILL let me do EITHER a clean install OR an upgrade AND has BOTH Pro and Home versions?

And your link doesn't work for me. Are you in the Twilight Zone or something?

I don't know what's 'never worked' for you. but if you download the tool and create media (either usb or DVD) then it works. If you are trying to do an 'in place' install without creating media I've heard reports that that doesn't work any better than the automatic background upgrade they rolled out.

And the Media (or in place install I presume) must be created/selected as either Home or Pro and either 64,32, or both.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by wodin

The key is embedded in the motherboard, and also on a sticker.



All I really know is that the install from a USB drive created on a Pro machine failed, but a fresh download from MCT to the Home machine succeeded. That leads me to believe that the ISO for Pro is different than that for a Home machine. The difference may be only the version flag or it could be more extensive, I did not do a file comparison to see, nor will I wast my time just to satisfy my curiosity.

Exactly.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I don't know what's 'never worked' for you. but if you download the tool and create media (either usb or DVD) then it works. If you are trying to do an 'in place' install without creating media I've heard reports that that doesn't work any better than the automatic background upgrade they rolled out.

.

I've done both a Home and a Pro install using the MCT directly.
(No media creation.)
Very fast and smooth.
But both were clean machines totally up to date.

The totally up to date part is apparently non-negotiable.

[eschwartz]

kennyc -- The link expires after 24 hours. I have no idea why MS feels the need to require auth tokens for the downloads.

It does say so clearly on the ISO download page, if you ever tried it.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

I've done both a Home and a Pro install using the MCT directly.
(No media creation.)
Very fast and smooth.
But both were clean machines totally up to date.

The totally up to date part is apparently non-negotiable.

Every Man's got his price!

Thanks for that.

I personally upgraded using created media - USB drive. But was reading elsewhere of others having issues with the MCT and upgrading in place on the machine. YMMV as seen.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Every Man's got his price!

Thanks for that.

I personally upgraded using created media - USB drive. But was reading elsewhere of others having issues with the MCT and upgrading in place on the machine. YMMV as seen.

Up to date, as in: all Windows updates fully installed.

It took twice as long to download and install the updates than to build the thing and upgrade to Win10 Pro.

(Before that, I tried upgrading a clean install of Win7 Ultimate straight off the disk and it bounced.)