Free Windows 10 Upgrade Allows Clean Install with ISO Download
One of the major “feature” of Windows 10 that will surely get many Windows enthusiasts on the cloud nine has finally been confirmed. That’s the ability to clean install Windows 10 with the free upgrade license offered to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users.
Since the announcement that the free Windows 10 upgrade is only available for a year, many people has been bugging by questions of what would happen if they decide to perform a factory reset to original default, do a clean install, or reinstall Windows OS after a year.
Gabriel Aul, the head of the Windows Insider program, announced it on Twitter that clean install for Windows 10 is allowed once the PC is upgraded to Windows 10 when responding to question on state of Windows 10 free upgrade license after July 29th, 2016. In other words, firstly upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, then you’re free to do whatever you want on that device with Windows 10, including clean install.
Gabriel Aul stated:
@dinchy87@PiotrGoreckiJr Once you upgrade W10 w/ the free upgrade offer you will able to clean reinstall Windows 10 on same device any time
Apparently, Microsoft may be recording the hardware specification and other information on the systems that upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, as reactivation of Windows 10 on these PCs will be automatic on subsequent installs. Most likely, the reactivation of Windows 10 is verified against SLIC table in the UEFI to determine which Windows version came with the PC and authenticate a clean Windows 10 install, or Microsoft may validate and then upgrade the product key used on the system to allow future installs. Thus, it’s likely that no new Windows 10 product key is issued to upgraders, and existing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 product keys are not working with Windows 10.
@dinchy87@PiotrGoreckiJr You will not need your 8.1 key, the same device will reactivate once it has been successfully upgraded to 10.
Here’s the summary on what’s allowed on reinstallation of Windows 10 based on Gabriel Aul today’s tweets:
Wipe the computer and clean install Windows 10 directly with ISO
Reset the PC (either keep or remove your files) through Settings app. This method will return the user back to clean Windows 10 on the device, as confirmed on Microsoft Community.
Factory reset the computer through manufacturer provided DVD or recovery method. This method will reinstall Windows 7 or Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, or whatever OS contained inside the OEM recovery image. User will need to manually install all updates and service packs, and then upgrade to Windows 10 again. It will works even after July 29th, 2016, as long as the device has upgraded to Windows 10 before, as mentioned in Microsoft Community.
Clean install and activate Windows 10 is allowed (No Windows 10 product key is issued for Windows 10 upgrade license acquired under the free upgrade program. However, Microsoft records the device’s hardware ID or HWID on its activation server when the device is first upgraded to Windows 10 and activated. On future reinstallation of Windows 10, the device will automatically be granted permanent activation status when the activation server detects its matching hardware ID).
LK is a technology writer for Tech Journey with background of system and network administrator. He has be documenting his experiences in digital and technology world for over 15 years.Connect with LK through Tech Journey on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
