I have downloaded Windows 10 to an external hard drive and tried to install it. It asks for a product key and I have tried every one that I have for both Windows 7 and 8. I have even used the one copied from the computer using Speccy. None of them work so I am stuck.
Any suggestions please?
You must upgrade from a qualifying OS first i.e 7 or 8.1 before you attempt a clean install, then you skip entering a key. There is no key for the free upgrade version.
To put it slightly differently:
To use the free upgrade, you have to install it as an upgrade over an installed and activated qualifying OS (7 or 8). I believe that you have to do a full upgrade (keep all files and applications). You won't be asked for a key. (You won't receive a Win 10 key, either, just a generic key that is of no use.) You have to match versions: home or home premium goes to 10 home, pro or Ultimate goes to Pro.
If you activate once, you can clean install on the same hardware. When asked for a key, hit the small "skip" button. The result will activate based on information retained by the activation servers.
Bobkn, I just couldn't be bothered going into depth. This info is everywhere.
Right.Bobkn, I just couldn't be bothered going into depth. This info is everywhere.
In the past I've been nasty enough to post a link to the "let me Google this for you" site, but I'm getting soft in my old age.
For those of us who are nervous and possessing little knowledge around computers your explanation is much appreciated.Right.
In the past I've been nasty enough to post a link to the "let me Google this for you" site, but I'm getting soft in my old age.
I have a qualifying OS (8.1) fully updated. Because of my internet connection limitations which I won't go into here, I downloaded the ISO in the early morning hours. It took 6 1/4 hours to download. If I use the Windows Media Upgrade tool it wants to download it all over again which I just cannot afford in time or download. So, is there a way to free upgrade from the downloaded ISO? It does not appear to offer that option.To put it slightly differently:
To use the free upgrade, you have to install it as an upgrade over an installed and activated qualifying OS (7 or 8). I believe that you have to do a full upgrade (keep all files and applications). You won't be asked for a key. (You won't receive a Win 10 key, either, just a generic key that is of no use.) You have to match versions: home or home premium goes to 10 home, pro or Ultimate goes to Pro.
If you activate once, you can clean install on the same hardware. When asked for a key, hit the small "skip" button. The result will activate based on information retained by the activation servers.
Right click on the ISO and select Mount.
Run setup.exe from the mounted image to start the upgrade.
This is how I did all my Win 10 upgrades.
Thank you for the suggestion but that does not work for me either. I'm still being asked for a product key with no option to skip.Right click on the ISO and select Mount.
Run setup.exe from the mounted image to start the upgrade.
This is how I did all my Win 10 upgrades.
What version of Windows 8.1 are you upgrading from?
What version of Windows 10 did you download?
Enter winver from a command prompt or the Run box under Windows 8.1 to verify what you have.
You must download the same version of Windows 10.
