Clean install – How does Windows know what version to install?

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I’m planning on doing a Windows 7 Pro SP1 to Windows 10 “clean install” using the DVD I created with the Media Creation Tool. I’ll let Windows 10 upgrade happen so my machine is registered/activated and then I’ll do the clean install…but I’m puzzled on how Windows will know what version to “clean” install. Windows 7 Pro will upgrade to Windows 10 Pro via the update process but when I then do a clean install how will the Windows 10 install know my previous version was Pro (so Windows 10 Pro will be installed)?

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OMG,

You’ll have to supply your Win 7 Key and you’ll get the Win 10 version that corresponds to that key.

HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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That helps a lot! Thanks for your help.

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From the registration/activation if you do it that way, or the Windows 7/8/10 key you enter if you don’t.

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That makes it unanimous. Thank you.

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The simple answer is that a ‘clean install’ won’t have a clue because, by definition, you’ll be wiping out any info that the installer could use to determine the version/’bitness’. As a result, it’s up to you to install the right version.

Bear in mind that you don’t need to upgrade first. Have a look at this article: Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First.

Hope this helps…

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If you downloaded/ran the Media Creation Tool on the Windows 7 device you’re going to clean install Windows 10 then the MCT would have shown you a default ‘Recommended’ download based on what you’re already running. For example:

44576-mct_default
Click to enlarge

So, unless you removed the tick from the checkbox, MS has already worked out the right version.

There’s more to it than this but that’s the basics.

PS – You don’t have to upgrade first. Have a look at this article: Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First. I’ve used this method several times and it works flawlessly.

Hope this helps…

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So, unless you removed the tick from the checkbox, MS has already worked out the right version.

Nothing there about Pro or Home though, which was the question.

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Nothing there about Pro or Home though, which was the question.

Good point. I should have been clearer.

If you use the Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First method and skip entering a product key (to use a GenuineTicket.xml file later) then you see this:

44579-win10_choose1
Click to enlarge

Hope this helps…

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If you downloaded/ran the Media Creation Tool on the Windows 7 device you’re going to clean install Windows 10 then the MCT would have shown you a default ‘Recommended’ download based on what you’re already running. For example:

44576-mct_default
Click to enlarge

So, unless you removed the tick from the checkbox, MS has already worked out the right version.

There’s more to it than this but that’s the basics.

PS – You don’t have to upgrade first. Have a look at this article: Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First. I’ve used this method several times and it works flawlessly.

Hope this helps…

Rick – Yes, I’ve seen that, but the download doesn’t ask you what version (Home or Pro) you want to download (which sort of makes sense). On the other hand, the clean-install tutorial looks very very nice and I’m thinking that’s the way I’ll do the install. Thanks!!

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Rick – Yes, I’ve seen that, but the download doesn’t ask you what version (Home or Pro) you want to download (which sort of makes sense). On the other hand, the clean-install tutorial looks very very nice and I’m thinking that’s the way I’ll do the install. Thanks!!

My apologies… once again, I should have explained better.

By default, the MCT suggests what it thinks is the right architecture you need, i.e. x32 or x64. If you remove the tick from the checkbox then, in addition to being able to choose a different install Language and/or Edition, you can also choose to download an install that includes both x32 and x64 architectures. (At installation time you have to choose which architecture you want to install… it’s not automatic.)

Here’s the important bit in terms of answering your question: The Windows 10 download (via MCT) includes both Home and Pro versions. (They’re not actually seperate versions, just one combined version where components and features are made/not made available to the installation depending on the product key used.)

If you enter a product key then the install will choose Home or Pro (components and features) automatically. If you don’t enter a product key, (for example, if you’re doing a clean install without first upgrading and using a GenuineTicket.xml file later) then you’ll need to choose Home or Pro manually. (If you choose the wrong one – for example, hoping to move from Home to Pro – then you’ll find that your stored GenuineTicket.xml file won’t activate the new installation.)

Hope this helps… (and hope I’ve explained better this time. 🙂 )

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