[How to] Clean Install and Activate Windows 10

[Rolo]

It isn't officially available. cf. ESDtoISO

 

[SherKaan]

Does it apply to Windows 7 OEM?

 

[Sloth]

Yes, its applicable to all versions provided you have a genuine copy. But its 28th already and MS has already started rolling out the update files for the upgrade. So its better to go with the official upgrade rather than using the 10240 ISO.

 

[SherKaan]

@Sloth: I'll perform an upgrade first. However, if I perform a clean install in the near future, how will it get activated?

 

[Kardo Kristal]

@Sloth: I'll perform an upgrade first. However, if I perform a clean install in the near future, how will it get activated?

@Sher Your license is connected with hardware. I guess they save some hardware information and then connect it with license. Next time when your PC is online, it will be activated automatically (without user input).

Please note that when you upgrade/change your hardware then probably your license will be invalid.

I hope it helps.

Regards,
Kardo

 

[kmr1684]

Please note that when you upgrade/change your hardware then probably your license will be invalid.

i seriously hate this part, when hdd failed then i have to run my pc with that damaged hdd, great next what stupid M$

 

[Tani]

Please note that when you upgrade/change your hardware then probably your license will be invalid.

i seriously hate this part, when hdd failed then i have to run my pc with that damaged hdd, great next what stupid M$

well it can be connected to hardware but not hdd I'm sure, it's something that often is changed due to failures or so.

 

[SherKaan]

Changing a HDD won't make any difference.

 

[kmr1684]

well it can be connected to hardware but not hdd I'm sure, it's something that often is changed due to failures or so.

ok mate i will come according to your statement when i upgrade my mother and processor and graphics card then, i need to purchase again, really stupid idea from M$, bind to the hardware id.

 

[kmr1684]

Changing a HDD won't make any difference.

yes but M$ stupids does not explain properly which hardware id exactly, if you have please enlighten me.

 

[Tani]

ok mate i will come according to your statement when i upgrade my mother and processor and graphics card then, i need to purchase again, really stupid idea from M$, bind to the hardware id.

yes it could have been connected to our microsoft accounts as almost everyone uses one on their machines.

 

[Sloth]

yes but M$ stupids does not explain properly which hardware id exactly, if you have please enlighten me.

AFAIK, changing HDD is not an issue.

Windows 8/8.1 keys are tied to motherboards and I think its the same for older versions too.

So I guess that it will be the same for Win10 too.

If you have a retail copy, then you can deactivate the key & use it in a new PC (or motherboard).

 

[Deleted member 178]

OP edited with clearer procedure

 

[Sloth]

From what I read, users are getting ISO's with different size/SHA1 when using the microsoft tool. So I think that people who like to do a clean install after doing the upgrade to download the ISO with the following SHA1 sum as it supports both home & pro versions.

SHA-1: 60CCE9E9C6557335B4F7B18D02CFE2B438A8B3E2

Please don't ask for download links. Just search that SHA1 sum in google and you'll get download links.

 

[Oxygen]

Am I able to do as many clean installs as I want? I called Microsoft and they said you need to go back to the previous Windows version.

 

[Deleted member 178]

Am I able to do as many clean installs as I want? I called Microsoft and they said you need to go back to the previous Windows version.

on the same computer, clean install of Win10, yes normally, unless they changed something since i did the guide.

Microsoft's hotline is sometimes less knowledgeable than some forums users

 

[Oxygen]

on the same computer, clean install of Win10, yes normally, unless they changed something since i did the guide.

Microsoft's hotline is sometimes less knowledgeable than some forums users

Thanks.

I wish Microsoft just generated custom keys for everyone though.... it would be less trouble.

Microsoft's hotline is sometimes less knowledgeable than some forums users

Master Umbra is at it again.

 

[Ashu Kumar]

How to make your own ISO?

You can create your own Windows 10 ISO from an ESD file downloaded through Windows update.
you can find it in "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download".

It isn't officially available. cf. ESDtoISO

There is a well documented post on this link.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...d/d2768b51-221a-436e-af4e-d3b9118a8864?auth=1

and since this ESD to ISO on Microsoft Community, one can vouch for its authenticity and it worked well for me without any problem.

 

[Rolo]

yes it could have been connected to our microsoft accounts

It isn't as an MSA isn't required; it is purely connected to the activation server.

yes but M$ stupids does not explain properly which hardware id exactly, if you have please enlighten me

There are explanations of this; I just read a detailed one a few weeks ago but I can't find it. Small changes (hard drive, adding some RAM, changing a video card) won't trigger activation but changing several things at once may. Additionally, changing the motherboard will trigger it as will, sometimes, flashing BIOS.

 

[Deleted member 2913]

You can create your own Windows 10 ISO from an ESD file downloaded through Windows update.
you can find it in "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download".



There is a well documented post on this link.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...d/d2768b51-221a-436e-af4e-d3b9118a8864?auth=1

and since this ESD to ISO on Microsoft Community, one can vouch for its authenticity and it worked well for me without any problem.

I too used ISO created from ESD & no probs upgrade/install Win 10 here.