Download Win10 Pro now, install (much) later?

Hello All

I'm currently running Win7 Pro 64-Bit and was wondering if it's possible to download Win10 Pro to install on a Bootable Stick Drive, and then do a clean install on my current system later?

I'm currently very happy with Win7 and have no intention of "upgrading" to Win10 for at least another year; besides, I've only just rebuilt after installing a new SSD!

If it's not possible to "save" the upgrade for a later date, and I have to purchase an OEM disc at some point in the future, then so be it.

Thanks
Paul

You have to actually upgrade to Windows 10 before July 29th to get it for free. If you aren't going to use it for a year there isn't much sense in downloading it now considering that a newer version, the Anniversary update is scheduled to be released on August 2.

But, it doesn't make much sense to me either to not take advantage of the free upgrade offer and upgrade to Windows 10 before July 29th, even if just temporarily, to have your digital entitlement/license saved on Microsoft activation servers for future use. A couple of hours of making an image of Windows 7, upgrading to Windows 10, then restoring the Windows 7 image will save $200. That $100/hr for your time. And heck - use Windows 10 for a couple of days and you might not even go back to Windows 7.

Thanks for the reply Navy. My MoBo is about 5yrs old, one of the Asus P8Z68 family, and as far as I know, there are no Win10 drivers for it.

My system is primarily used for Photoshop work, plus general computing, and is built around 2x SSD's + 3x spinners for photo projects and general data.

Even with the "old" MoBo and i7 Quad Core CPU it's blazing fast; Photoshop + a 16-Bit uncompressed tiff open in about 2 seconds.

I don't "need" Win10, but hey, if Microsoft wants to give it to me for free I'll take it but would want to hold-off on the install 'til later. If memory serves, I waited a couple of years after the release of Win7 to move from XP.

Oh, and as an FYI, Win10 Pro 64-Bit OEM can be purchased from Newegg for $140.

Thanks again
Paul

I don't "need" Win10, but hey, if Microsoft wants to give it to me for free I'll take it but would want to hold-off on the install 'til later.

You can't do both. You only have 10 days to take Windows 10 for free by upgrading to it before July 29th.

image your win7 install and then do the upgrade (have not run into any show stopping issues with P8z86's (other than getting drivers (audio/network etc) from the manufacturer (realtek/intel)). look at Fernando's Win-RAID Forum (Storage Drivers - BIOS Modding) blog where they keep an excellent and up to date list for many drivers.

once done see how you go, if you don't like it (make sure it's activated) then just restore your windows 7 (by using then 30 days roll back) or if need be using the system image you made.

at least then your system (as it is now) will be registered with MS should you want to update in the future.

Thanks for the link Aramil, I'll definitely check out the site!

You can't do both. You only have 10 days to take Windows 10 for free by upgrading to it before July 29th.

Thanks Navy, that's just as I thought.

Unfortunately, any goodwill I was feeling towards Microsoft for wiping away the rancid stench of Win8 with the release of Win10 has been completely erased by their hyper aggressive attempts to get me to upgrade.

When I turned on my system this morning I saw that I had a couple of "Important" updates waiting to be installed; hmm, I wonder what they could be? Turns out they were our old friends KB3035583 and KB3173040!

Roll on July the 30th and I won't have to play Win10 whack-a-mole any longer!!!