Being forced to upgrade to Win 10 Need Help

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I have custom PC that was downgraded from Win10 to Windows 7 Pro (x64) few years ago. It has SSD and HDD.

My Adobe CC softwares/Their Adobe servers/Adobe company no longer supports Windows 7, after talking to Adobe tech support. So, I am being forced to move to Windows 10 Pro. I never upgraded a computer’s operating system before..1) I’ll need help in upgrading.  Other questions below:

2) Are there anything special that I should do before AND during upgrading to Windows 10 Pro?

2a) For example, does upgrading process move my 3rd party softwares and everything in my HDD and SSD to Win10?

3) How to minimize telemetry?

So, I am looking for high level role member willing to help me step by step.

 

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If you’re installing Windows 10 over Windows 7 on the same computer, the most important preparatory step you can take is to make a full system image (backup) of your current Windows drive before starting the Windows 10 installation.

Regarding question (2a), according to this short MS Answers Forum thread, your software will indeed survive the switch to Windows 10. I’m not aware of any changes to this capability in the years since that discussion took place. If anything goes wrong during the upgrade process, you’ll have the system image as a fallback position so that you can start over again.

And concerning how to minimize telemetry, you can check out the second link in my signature line below for ways to limit the MS telemetry and generally make Windows 10 more like the Windows 7 we know and love.

Good luck, and if you run into any issues, just ask! There are plenty of knowledgeable folks here who’ll be happy to assist.

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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Hello, sorry for late reply, I have some questions.
So, there’s nothing..no things during upgrading process that are in reality optional to agree to or optional installs that are not necessary that I should skip?
I should skip and never create a Microsoft account, which I heard in the past..right?

Should I wait to download Win 10 since current update/version is Def Con 2?
I’m I able to choose which version/major update version of Win 10 Pro to install?? If yes, what are the steps?

Once Win 10 Pro is installed (I’m trying to figuring out a fix of my PC won’t stay shutdown after done for the day), from your links mentioned on telemetry and protecting privacy. What is the best option(s) to do/use that requires least amount of effort, so it’s a sustainable routine in one’s life ??

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

Hello, sorry for late reply, I have some questions.
So, there’s nothing..no things during upgrading process that are in reality optional to agree to or optional installs that are not necessary that I should skip?
I should skip and never create a Microsoft account, which I heard in the past..right?

Should I wait to download Win 10 since current update/version is Def Con 2?
I’m I able to choose which version/major update version of Win 10 Pro to install?? If yes, what are the steps?

Once Win 10 Pro is installed (I’m trying to figuring out a fix of my PC won’t stay shutdown after done for the day), from your links mentioned on telemetry and protecting privacy. What is the best option(s) to do/use that requires least amount of effort, so it’s a sustainable routine in one’s life ??

A safe approach would be to wait to do the upgrade until Susan gives the green light. Others may be able to verify whether or not the ISO that you would be downloading will contain the very latest patches.

For privacy and telemetry control, I recommend the Windows Privacy Dashboard discussed in the “Taming the Telemetry” section at my link. Once you have WPD installed, click on the Blocker section; on the left part of the panel I have selected Telemetry and Extra so that they display white check marks in green circles, but I’ve left the Update category unchecked. (I use Windows Update Manager to control the monthly patches.) Over on the right, I have set the slider for Windows Defender Firewall to ON and left the Windows Filtering Platform set to OFF.

Then go back to the WPD “home” screen and now select Privacy. There are a couple dozen items to decide on; the thing to bear in mind here is that if you select ON, you are allowing the corresponding (anti-privacy) feature, so the way to stop the feature is to set it to OFF. I have most of them set to Off, but not all. The little question marks at the end of each item give a brief description of what each one does. With the Advanced Settings at the bottom, I have disabled (set to Off) only the “tailored experiences” and “locally relevant content” items in the Miscellaneous section. (It may be time for me to review the rest of the Advanced settings more thoroughly.)

Once you’re done with these settings, you don’t have to do anything more on any kind of regular basis: they’re basically “set and forget”.

When you’re installing Windows 10, at some point you will reach a screen that gives you the chance to review the app permissions and native privacy settings. You will want to go through them carefully before proceeding with the Win10 installation.

I have run through the “out of the box” process for a brand-new Windows 10 PC a number of times, but I’ve never updowngraded a computer to Win10 from a previous version of Windows. There may be differences in the process that you’ll need to be aware of and I hope that others will pitch in with the details.

Good luck!

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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I can’t really wait more for the green light because I need to use Photoshop, After Effects, etc plus I paid annual subscription. (It sucks Adobe stopped supporting Win7.). That’s why I asked if Microsoft lets you pick a previous Win10 version. Or couldn’t I just delete the current patch after upgrading if I don’t find someone to check the downloaded ISO and have to install current update version of Windows 10 ??
By any chance have you heard how much longer for green light?

 

When you say, Over on the right, I have set the slider for Windows Defender Firewall to ON and left the Windows Filtering Platform set to OFF.

I have Norton Security Software that I’ll be changing its Norton 360 in a little over a month from now. Will this change this step since Windows Defender is mentioned?

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A question you should get answered is ‘Are my current Adobe products supported on Windows 10?’
They tend to be pricey and that could be a consideration.

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Adobe support told me to continue using any of my Adobe creative cloud products (subscription based) I need to have Win 10  to continue to be supported. Also was told I can choose which version/year

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I think your remark could apply to any program you need to run.

Win7Pro, I5 CPU, 8Gb RAM, SSD boot drive, external 4Tb SSD storage

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“Is it supported”, and ‘Will it run” are not the same.
On Win 7, I am using, although not heavily, Adobe Acrobat 9, and Reader 9. These were new ca. 2008. And my daughter sometimes uses Photoshop 7, from 2002.
“If it ain’t broke [for what you are doing], don’t [pay to] fix it.”

1 user thanked author for this post.

wavy

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Not all software survives the upgrade intact and you may need to reinstall some apps. Test once you have completed the upgrade.

cheers, Paul

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Important:
The very first thing you need to do before you even consider upgrading to Win10 is make a Full disk image of your system and a separate file backup of your data (everything under C:\Users\,your ID>). Without these two backups, you risk losing everything.
You will also need a bootable Rescue CD/Flash Drive, created by your backup software, to allow you to access your full disk image and a bootable Windows Repair CD/Flash Drive allowing you to boot into the Windows Repair environment.

For the full disk image, you will probably need a 1T external USB drive. If you do not have backup software that will perform the tasks, Macrium Reflect and EaseUS Todo have been recommended here. Both have free and paid versions.

Your computer has an HDD and an SSD. What is the size of each drive? On which one is the Windows OS installed? How is the other one used? How you backup may depend on how you answer these questions.

Otherwise, it is important to know what software you use and what the version of each one is. If you have older versions of important ones, you should find out if the older version is compatible with Win10. You may have to upgrade the s/w.

+ What antivirus do you use?
+ Do you have Conexant Audio drivers (Control Panel\Device Manager)? They have been known to cause BSODs with Win10.
+ If you do the upgrade online, it will force you to create a Microsoft ID. To be able to use a Local ID instead, the upgrade has to be done from an ISO or Install Media OFFLINE. You will need instructions for this, and the settings changes you need to make before reconnecting to the Internet.

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Hello again, I think I created one of these possibly both of these the Bootable Rescue CD/Flash Drive and a Bootable Windows Repair CD/Flash Drive back when bringing my PC up to date finally back in 2019 with Microsoft built in Backup Software.  Can I use them again to have to prevent from losing everything risk when upgrading to Win10 pro??  (FYI I haven’t used my PC is lightly used)

HDD is 1TB  SSD 512GB. Windows OS installed on SSD. I also use SSD for any type of downloads (like the downloads folder in Win7 pro), frequently used/main Softwares like Photoshop,illustrator,after effects plus other smaller/types of softwares.

HDD used for Antivirus Software, pics, videos, documents, project files. In 2014, when my PC was built, Pc built expert in store said to use these drives like this since SSD not reliable like HDD for scratch disk & if dies won’t be able to recover files

After upgrade, the softwares that did make it over/moved over by Microsoft will those softwares be updated/updated to their Win10 version automatically by Microsoft?

Antivirus Software is Norton Security Deluxe (in a month subscription ends and will need to get Norton 360 the equivalent to Security Deluxe)

 

I don’t know if I have Conexant Audio Drivers as my audio drivers I don’t know how to find out. I first used headphones to listen to audio then some random really old plug and play PC speakers.

If avoiding Creating a Microsoft account is still recommend then yes I want to upgrade offline and yes I’ll need instructions.

Can I And how do I pick a stable version of Win10 Pro to download??, since current update/patch version is Def-Con 2 and can’t really wait much longer for green light.

Also, I have a topic posted here for help on finding a permanent fix on keeping my Pc to stay shutdown when done using the PC.

 

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

Hello again, I think I created one of these possibly both of these the Bootable Rescue CD/Flash Drive and a Bootable Windows Repair CD/Flash Drive back when bringing my PC up to date finally back in 2019 with Microsoft built in Backup Software. Can I use them again to have to prevent from losing everything risk when upgrading to Win10 pro??

No. No, Windows built-in backup system is not reliable, You need to use one of the third-party imaging/backup programs and verify the image when you make it. Also create new bootable media with the new s/w.
You will need to include both drives in your image backup.
For the separate data backup, you cannot do a file backup of installed programs. You will have to backup your data by selecting only the folder trees that contain data. Be sure you get all of them.

You will probably need to uninstall Norton A/V before the upgrade to be on the safe side. It could cause problems.
No third-party programs are updated automatically by Microsoft during the upgrade to Win10. You have to be responsible for checking that each one will run on Win10 and upgrade them yourself if they do not.

You need to look in Control Panel\Device Manager to determine if you have Conexant Audio drivers. If you do not know how to do this, and you go ahead with the upgrade, you risk BSOD and failure if they are installed.

Create a Local ID (instead of a Microsoft ID) by doing the upgrade OFFLINE. When you download the MCT from Microsoft, use it to create an ISO. You will get the latest version of Win10, but it will not be up to date b/c the ISO version the MCT downloads wasnot created by Microsoft the day you download. Disconnect from the Internet. Once you do the upgrade from the ISO, you need to set the settings in the Settings App, particularly for Windows Update, before you reconnect to the Internet to be sure you don’t get something you don’t want downloaded and installed.
The latest version of Win10, v21H1, is as stable as Win10 can be.

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After watching a few videos on Macrium Reflect 7. What’s your opinion on which hard drive is it better for the the long term to install it on when a PC has SSD and HDD?

Also, how do I create a single full image of both my SSD and HDD like how you mentioned? Will both of them automatically show up on list and auto selected after clicking on “image disk” blue text ?

Does clicking on the second tool/task out of three seen 1st inside the left side panel, will create bootable Rescue CD/Flash Drive, bootable Windows Repair CD/Flash Drive and Bootable Media ?

I only see Bootable Rescue Media and not Windows Repair CD/USB under Tasks.

Does clicking on the third tool/task out of three seen 1st inside the left side panel, will create data backup ?

How much storage will I need (for each) Rescue CD/Flash Drive, bootable Windows Repair CD/Flash Drive and Bootable Media ?

In some videos, they say need to Reformat USB to MBR and others not when creating Bootable Rescue. What do you do?

I need to choose Windows PE 3.1(under advanced settings) when I’m following the steps in the Bootable Rescue Media window since my PC is on Win7?

Should I load up the Rescue Media to see if it’s working after creating it? If yes, then how do I exit from the Rescue?

I didn’t see anything inside Device Manager called Conexant Audio Drivers.

If I already got a Win10 Pro License since my PC had Win10 for couple of days then downgraded to Win7 Pro, will it cause an issue when using the downloaded ISO from Microsoft’s Support page since a free digital License is given within ISO file?

After upgrading to Win 10 Pro, what are the settings in the Settings App that I need to set?

Will it be hard to reinstall WD Drive Utilities,WD Discovery and/or GeForce Experience after upgrading to Win10 Pro?

I ask because it’s been a long time and I don’t remember how those two were installed, meaning automatically when plugging in external HD and when my PC was being 1st built.

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Do you mean external disk for backup?
If so, it doesn’t matter what you get as long as it’s portable and has sufficient capacity.

To create a disk image, click on the disk in MR and follow your nose.

Create rescue media from the Tools menu. You only need about 4GB USB stick. Let MR manage the USB, don’t bother to format it.

Of course you need to test your USB recovery by booting from it and then reading the backup files on your external disk.

Note: Macrium Reflect is relatively complex, but powerful. If you want something easier to use, try MiniTool ShadowMaker free.

cheers, Paul

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Can’t find a video on how to create a Windows Repair Environment/Bootable Repair USB with MiniTool Shadowmaker Free version. This is one of the things PKCano said I needed to do.

 

If you’re answering question in 1st paragraph, then I am asking about the installation of backup software.

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In my opinion, you would be better off to take the time to become familiar with Macrium Reflect. About a month ago, after reading one of Paul’s earlier  recommendations, I downloaded Shadowmaker and tested it against MR Free. The Macrium backup was about 25% faster than Shadowmaker. I have successfully used the Macrium Repair USB to restore my system and just recently used its Command Line facility to run a diskpart clean all to erase the hard drive of a retired laptop.

In contrast, the Shadowmaker USB, after booting was unusable, as several of its icons overflowed the display.  Also, on reading the doc, I noticed that the CMD Line is not available on the free version of Shadowmaker’s Repair USB.

My impression is that Shadowmaker Free is there to induce its users to get the paid version ASAP. My experience with Macrium Reflect Free is that you can use it with confidence. For me, Shadowmaker did not inspire confidence.

Hope this helped.

Regards, Phil

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How much memory did you need to create Repair USB? In my case Win PE 3.1 is what I pick because of Win7 is my OS?

Yes, your user experience on both software was much appreciated.

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For creation of a Repair USB, the main consideration is the size of your flash drive. These days, it’s often the smallest you can find in stores. My most recent ones have been 16GB and 32GB. Used space on my latest one is 1.3 GB.

As for the Win PE version, your choice should be the default for Win 7 or above, Win RE. According to Macrium doc, if Win RE is unavailable, you should choose Win PE 10. (Since your machine started with Win 10, this should support your hardware better than Win PE 3.1).

HTH

Regards, Phil

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How do I know if Win RE is unavailable to me? All I remember in a tutorial video, that the person clicked Advanced Settings to pick Win RE version & other RE options. If can’t click on it, is how to tell Win RE not available…

Actually my machine (custom built) started with Win7 enterprise then had an issue and it’s partition got messed up. In the end repair shop had to install Win10 Pro. I kept Win10 for couple of days before asking shop to install Win7 Pro. Does this change which Win RE version that you said I should pick?

Since once a USB is used to create Bootable Repair it can’t be used to for anything else. So, that’s why I asked since I want to for sure or not whether it takes 16GB to create a Bootable Repair USB  and another 16GB to create a Bootable Rescue USB(does different things than Repair usb). I don’t want to only used less than 10% of 16GB USB storage if I don’t need to.

 

 

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Hi @PKCano just wondering if you’ve seen my reply/questions post #2387104 from August 31st? I know it’s long…but I’ve never upgraded operating system before and it’s overwhelming.

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See answer below.

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I got a reply under another topic, about new to me things to check, warnings, some new thing to install/use, and other things (a lot of tech stuff that’s above my head) before installing Win10 and afterwards. Do I really need to worry about anything in the reply? https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/step-by-step-on-help-creating-bootable-usb-and-other-backup-types/#post-2389036

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

I can’t really wait more for the green light because I need to use Photoshop, After Effects, etc plus I paid annual subscription. (It sucks Adobe stopped supporting Win7.). That’s why I asked if Microsoft lets you pick a previous Win10 version. Or couldn’t I just delete the current patch after upgrading if I don’t find someone to check the downloaded ISO and have to install current update version of Windows 10 ??
By any chance have you heard how much longer for green light?

 

When you say, Over on the right, I have set the slider for Windows Defender Firewall to ON and left the Windows Filtering Platform set to OFF.

I have Norton Security Software that I’ll be changing its Norton 360 in a little over a month from now. Will this change this step since Windows Defender is mentioned?

Norton 360 relies on the Windows Firewall, so you’re good to go on that score. And my understanding is that Norton should carry over successfully to the new, Windows 10 that you’re installing over Windows 7. However, just in case something goes wrong during the process, before starting make sure that you have your Norton license key stored in a separate, safe location so that you can download a fresh copy and install it manually.

Unfortunately in your case, if past experience is a guide, then the green light for this month’s Windows 10 patches won’t be given for another couple of weeks. The reason is that the August patches just came out (August 10) and Susan typically waits until it’s a week or so before the next month’s patches in order to allow more time for possible problems with the patches to be discovered and fixed.

If time is of the essence in getting Win10 up and running, then I would just go ahead and download the currently available ISO.

From your reply, it sounds like you have installed Windows Privacy Dashboard already on your current Windows 7 system. Bear in mind that whatever settings you select now may or may not carry over to the new Win10 installation, so be sure to double-check them after the installation is finished.

I also highly recommend reviewing PKCano’s post upthread, which is full of valuable information as you prepare to make the switch to Windows 10.

For more information on the mechanics of getting Win10 installed over Win7, you can try this PCMag page.

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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The backup software needs to ve installed on the System drive. You create the bootable Restore media from with in the backup software. You have to boot from that media and access the image on external storage to restore you system (you cannot restore from within the running OS).

Your backup software should manage the imaging of your drives. You will have to read the instructions for whatever s/w you choose, because the instructions are different for different programs.

Creating a bootable Windows Recovery drive is done from with in Windows. It allows you to boot the computer when the Windows won’t boot and gives you access to the Command Prompt and other utilities to troubleshoot the non-functioning system. It is not part of the backup s/w. It is located:
Control Panel\System\Recovery\Create a recovery drive.

A 16GB flash drive will work for both. You should boot from any bootable drive you make to be sure it works. Turn off the computer. When you press the power button to turn it on, immediately press multiple times the key that gives you access to the boot menu. For HP, it’s ESC, for Dell it’s F12, for other brands it could be different. In the black POST screen before it loads the OS, it should tell you which key. Choose to boot from the USB or CD drive where the bootable media is located.

For you backup drive, you need a 1-3TB external HDD.

At the first part of the installation, you will have the choice of what to save: save you apps and data, save only your data, of save nothing. Take the first choice. Most of the programs and your data should come through OK. But if not, that’s why you made the image and data backup beforehand.

If you had Win10 on your computer initially, it should automatically activate when you connect to the Internet no matter how you upgrade. The settings for Windows update are covered in AKB2000016 (screenshots below). The rest of the settings are your choice. Go through each section of the Settings App and choose. Then ask questions about the ones you aren’t sure of. There are lots of threads here about settings in Group Policy.

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I’m confused on Bootable Rescue/Repair USB/CD, in original reply you said to choose a backup program to create it..But, now you said the Windows built in backup tool is the only way to create the Repair/Rescue that will include a menu/Windows repair environment my repair CD.  And I’ve seen Macrium and other Backup programs being able to create a the Win PE/Bootable menu.

Also, I’m confused about original reply, when Rescue/Repair was mentioned it ended with USB/CD…meaning using a CD is an option. Sooo, I’m surprised 16GB is needed to create Repair with a menu especially since I created Repair in a 4GB CD in the past(using Windows built in backup tool.My only experience).

After testing if Bootable Repair’s window appears, Will it be obvious on how to exit it? The only thing I need to check is if it’s window looks normal, right?  And I only really need to/at the minimum check only on the Bootable Repair?

The AKB2000016 screenshots didn’t appear below.

So the rest of the settings can be changed after installing Win10 Pro?

 

I’ve seen a article saying Microsoft still gives a free license when downloading OS, is this true?

In a nutshell yes, Win10 was installed in the past after cloning the HDD a partition couldn’t be saved after going to a repair shop. Will it automatically activate/find license when installing Win10 Pro Offline?

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The Windows Recovery media and the backup s/w Restore media are two different things.
The Windows Recovery media allows you to boot the computer and do repairs when the computer won’t boot. It has nothing to do with backup/restore.
The backup s/w’s Restore media allows you to boot the computer and restore an image that is saved on an external HDD.

There is no computer memory involved. When you talk about CDs or USB flash drives, 4GB or 16GB refer to the capacity of the media, not cthe computer’s memory.

Exiting bootable media involves closing the s/w being used from the media, turning off the computer, removing the bootable media, and booting the computer  normally from the internal system drive.

There ARE screenshots in AKB2000016. They are located below the text. Scroll down.

PKCano wrote:

If you had Win10 on your computer initially, it should automatically activate when you connect to the Internet no matter how you upgrade.

TheFamilyIT wrote:

In a nutshell yes, Win10 was installed in the past after cloning the HDD a partition couldn’t be saved after going to a repair shop. Will it automatically activate/find license when installing Win10 Pro Offline?

The upgrade will only save programs that are CURRENTLY installed on the computer (currently installed in Win7, in your cans). It won’t go find programs that are not installed/have been removed and reinstall them.

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I know that those are two different things. My confusion is that in your older post says Windows’s built in backup tools and Bootable repair tool isn’t preferred and I should use a separate Backup program. But, in your last post that created the confusion, you say to use Windows’s Recovery tool instead of using a separate Backup program’s(Macrium Reflect free) Bootable Recovery/Repair USB/CD feature.

And the sentence makes it sound that full image,file backup and Bootable Rescue created by another Backup Program can be used/will work inside Recovery/Repair media with a Win RE made thru Windows’s Recovery tool.

Your sentence makes it sound that none of the Backup Programs that’s out there have a way to create a Bootable Recovery USB/CD and/or shouldn’t be used.

 

In 3rd paragraph: I know when I talk about 16GB or 4GB that I am talking about the memory/storage space that a USB has to be used and that it doesn’t have to do with my PC’s memory/storage.

I was asking for clarification of 3rd paragraph since I am surprised that you say it takes 16GB to create a Bootable Repair Media (with Bootable menu) and another 16GB to create a Bootable Rescue Media.

Since once a USB is used to create Bootable Repair it can’t be used to for anything else. So, that’s why I asked since I want to for sure or not whether it takes 16GB to create a Bootable Repair USB and another 16GB to create a Bootable Rescue USB(does different things than Repair usb). I don’t want to only used less than 10% of 16GB USB storage if I don’t need to.

 

In my last paragraph, my question wasn’t about my other programs installed in my PC. Every time I mention License, I am talking about/asking about is the License/product key of Win10. I was asking if Win 10’s License/product key that I already have since PC’s last OS was Win10 Pro will be the one to activate instead of the Win License/Product Key that Microsoft gives for free when downloading OS as .iso file when installing Win10 offline??  

New question, will that free license given by Microsoft still be useable in the future?

The Screenshots doesn’t show in my other Topic thread about PC not staying shutdown. This has happened before when someone else attached screenshots earlier in August in my other Topic. Their Screenshots was at bottom of the post for a little bit(I happen to log in in time to save them) before they disappeared (I checked post for screenshots in desktop and in my mobile and logged in & not logged in). It’s like Ask Woody site removed it sometimes

Here’s a screenshot of what I see while looking at your post.

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The bootable Windows Repair media, the creation of which is described above, is not for backup/restore. Does not use/is not part of Windows backup (that has not been recommended in this thread).

It is for Repair. It allows you to boot the computer from the media when the computer will not boot from the System drive.

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Hi, @pkcano don’t if you saw or not..so here’s the link of my Win Settings question on Sept. 28th https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/being-forced-to-upgrade-to-win-10-need-help/#post-2392422   I replied with AKB2000016 questions after looking over your AKB2000016 forum Topic. Since specific screenshots were attached to your September 8th post that I don’t see(I don’t know if in desktop browser it’ll fix this random issue..)

Update: I have made a Win10 Pro media installation USB. Been and I’m still learning about Macrium and asking questions

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@pkcano I found & read over the post AKB2000016 about Windows Update Settings, I ‘m overwhelmed by which method to pick for Win10 Pro..I’m thinking method 2/follow June 24 post screenshots. I don’t want mess with Registry editor if I don’t absolutely need to.

Which method do you recommend that’s closest that behaves like Win7 (meaning that I don’t need to remember a patch or update is coming and if I don’t checking in here at Askwoody or else my PC is in big trouble ?

Can you change which method used later in very easy way?

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When exactly does the Win10 Digital License is created/given to you when downloading Win10 from Microsoft’s Support/download page ?

Besides creating a Media Installation USB Drive from V21H1, I want to save a copy of v21H1 with a FREE Digital License in my external Hard drive like how Susan Bradley said in her Squirrel it away post. I wanted to have a copy with a free digital license(so I don’t need to pay for one in future Custom PC  Built) before seeing her post.

I am worried if I download the Win 10 Pro ISO file while on my Custom Built Win7 Pro (x86) PC that once had Win10 pro installed, that a Free Digital License won’t be given.

Thats why I’m also asking, can I download Win10 Pro ISO file with Digital License included inside from any computer for example from a Win 8.1 PC or from a Win10 home PC ??

 

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@pkcano could you when you have time, take a look at my digital license for Win10 question above ( post #23292392 )

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It will see the license that was assigned to it before and allow you to activate it.  To the best of my knowledge there is no way to “download” this for later.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Ok so, when downloading Win10 iso file for my custom built PC, I have to download a copy/extra iso file while on my PC that I will be upgrading in order for Microsoft Download Tool to give me the correct Windows 10 version choices ??

So, just have to hope this free download of Win10 with ability to claim a free digital license will still be offered/working in the future.

Only way to claim a free digital license is by downloading and/or create Media Installation is to be on a PC that only  ever had Win 7 or 8.1, right?

 

Separate question: Can the Download Tool, be used to create a Media Installation USB from the ISO file that was already downloaded ??

To double check,  if you select upgrade option instead of selecting iso file then a Media Installation USB process will start?

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If you act quickly, you will install Windows 10 21H1 which is recommended instead of the relatively untested 21H2, and you will have time to install registry patches or group policy to block Windows 11, and also block 21H2.  After installing, see here https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/how-do-i-block-win-11-from-installing-on-client-computers/

If your computer had run Windows 10 while connected to the internet in the past, your digital license should be all set and ANY method you use to install Windows 10 should see it and be activated.  If this is not the case, post a new message confirming that.

I hope that an easy method to install Windows 10 is to go to the upgrade to Windows 10 site and click on it, no ISO involved.  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10  If you prefer to use the ISO, that is fine too.  Click the options that lead to downloading and then mount the ISO and run the setup.

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@pkcano I happen to check on Google what MCT means & it’s Microsoft Certification Training. Confused, so in your August post instruction of  when to  Create a Local ID (instead of a Microsoft ID) by doing the upgrade OFFLINE. When you download the MCT from Microsoft, use it to create an ISO. You will get the latest version of Win10. 

I searched in MCT website for Win 10 download and couldn’t find. Website only had class resources, support, etc.

 

Please clarify instruction of downloading Win10 inside Microsoft Certification Training.  I thought you download Win10 from Microsoft Support website.

 

Question 2: How do I create a Bootable Media Installation USB in a PC with Win 7 Pro after downloading Win10 ISO file??

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MCT=media creation tool

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Oh ok. But now, How do I create a Bootable Media Installation USB in Win 7 Pro after downloading Win10 ISO file ?

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How to Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

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Weird Step 1 takes me to different Microsoft page for downloading the ISO file  than how askwoody YouTube video shows for saving a feature update/V21H1 which to click on blue button labeled “download tool now” instead of a blue link text in a paragraph  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

In Step 8, saying need to burn into DVD if pick ISO file Option. I’ve heard there’s supposed to be different ways to save ISO file into. Is this correct because how else can you squirrel away once and awhile a Feature Release Update(Ex. V21H1) in case need to in future do reinstall, repair on top, clean install ??

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

Weird Step 1 takes me to different Microsoft page for downloading the ISO file  than how askwoody YouTube video shows for saving a feature update/V21H1 which to click on blue button labeled “download tool now” instead of a blue link text in a paragraph  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

It’s the same button on the same page.

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

In Step 8, saying need to burn into DVD if pick ISO file Option. I’ve heard there’s supposed to be different ways to save ISO file into. Is this correct because how else can you squirrel away once and awhile a Feature Release Update(Ex. V21H1) in case need to in future do reinstall, repair on top, clean install ??

You can burn the ISO to DVD, save to USB or download to your PC and save it.
When wanting to re-install/repair you mount the ISO (double click on the file) you saved, open with Windows explorer and run Setup.exe.

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My Win 7 has 2 updates that I haven’t gone around installing. Before doing full disk image backup and Bootable Rescue Media USB, I’m wondering if I should still install them since I’m having to move to Win 10 ?

Ive attached screenshots of updates below

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We don’t install preview updates (the 114.4mb one).  Normally edge and MSRT (malicious software removal tool) should be updated, but with your upcoming upgrade I don’t see any reason to install anything else other than possibly backup software in Windows 7.

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TheFamilyIT wrote:

I’m having to move to Win 10 ?

If you are moving to Windows 10 you don’t need any updates for Windows 7 nor image backup.
Windows 10 upgrade will backup your Windows 7 to a file : windows.old.
You will have 10 days to revert to Windows 7. Data should be backed up regularly.

You can create a Windows 7 image backup if you think you won’t like Windows 10 after a month, a year..and want back to Windows 7.

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NOT TRUE!!!
What if the upgrade fails and there is no windows.old?
What if the PC bluescreens after the upgrade.

The User ABSOLUTELY needs an image backup.
Why do you post garbage like this?

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