[HOWTO] Install Windows 10 and Keep the Windows You Have Now - Comments Page 1

I did something like this when the hijack appeared imminent. Using Acronis 2015 I cloned Win7 from my 1tb hd to a 500 gig hd and then let Win 10 loose with a customized install. For 2 reasons I keep 7 offline: limited data for maintenance and fear detection from MS. Then I have PCLinuxOS on a 640 and it can access and use both of the Windows files - of course not programs.

Excellent timing! I've been researching how to do this the last several days, in prep for loading Win10 (currently on Win7). I now have a 1TB Ext USB drive to create my Image (doing that as soon as I pull my lawn mower battery inside to use with my old APC UPS while the Image is being created! ...and while Win10 loads!).

I'm going to try installing Win10 to a separate SSD, with Dual Boot, instead of just a separate partition on the main 1TB hard drive. Hope this works. (My 18yo grandson gave me the SSD... boy, does that make me feel old?!)

Question: Will my Win10 install still not be "activated" even if I put in my Win7 product key? Or is the act of overwriting Win7 that gets me "activated"?

We achieved an activated Win-10 in dual boot by letting Win-10 upgrade the Win-7 then reinstalled Win-7 to a separate partition using the original Win-7 key.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Clever idea, I like it!

What a fantastic idea! if only I could have XP and Win98 as well I would be in Microsoft heaven. I mean why grasp the nettle and move forwards when you can live in the past?

I downloaded Win10 to a folder last night, and this morning all I got on boot up was a green screen, Win10 had scrambled my PC, the MBR File had disappeared, it took all day to get the PC working again, beware of Win10 I am not sure if it can be obtained on a DVD but that is the way to go.

My Windows 10 operates exactly like my XP machine(with classic shell). I never heard of Windows media center, been using VlC and other free players.

MBR errors could be a sign of Hard drive failure.

You were supposed to use the media creation tool and burn your Windows 10 install disk. I was told that You have to use the same machine with the disk, no sharing.

A key question here is, can MS detect both systems if online and will they permit both now and indefinitely. I have no compelling interest in keeping 7 on line - too much maintenance but we all know how much MS can be trusted. They already paid a settlement of 10 grand for screwing up a small business and lied to me by phone on at least 2 occasions. Who cares. As I type this on Linux I'm listening to music stored on 10 played directly from Linux on the Dolphin file folder page.

Your system seems better than my twin SSD drives. One with Windows 7 and the other with Windows 10. I have a two -way -switch in the front of the case and before switching on the computer I select the OS I want to run. More expensive but it works.

"On the downside, note that this method will result in a Windows 10 installation that is not “activated” because it is not an upgrade of your existing version of Windows"

Bob, you might check Microsoft's website. (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation) I believe Microsoft will now let you activate your Windows 10 install with your Windows 7 product key. So you can do a clean install, dual boot using the method you describe and have activated versions for Win 7 & 10.

I had Windows 10 installed, but now use the Windows 7 Classic Shell. That has made life much easier.

The big problem is still the ruination of the nice routine I had for uploading photos from my camera. Still working that one out. Before it was simple, a file made each time I connected camera and computer, containing only the new photos since last time and named by the date of the upload and some words I added. Very logical. Now, photos are duplicated all over, file names seem out of fashion. I use Picasa to find the files for my photos, reverse of my old method. Soon I will get this in order, but why should I have to do things all over? Organizing photos is hard enough, as they propagate so quickly. Microsoft, what planet do they occupy?

Good one Bob. My method is having two SSD'. Wne with Windows 7 and the other with Windows 10. I have a two-way -switch in front of the case and with it I select the OS I want before switching on the computer.
Wish I had your system. Less expensive and more "self-contained ".

I tried this and have a catch 22. Win10 won't install on the new partition because it is not a "GPT" drive. If I try to convert the drive from MBR to GPT using partition S/W, I am warned that my current OS (Win7 Home SP1) is not compatible with UEFI and likely will not boot up after the conversion. I'm very leary at attempting the HD conversion to GPT, backed up or not. Anyone have some experience with this?

I will be taking a pass on Win 10.
I upgraded a win 8.1 laptop to win 10 and it seemed to work OK until I tried to use my DVD.
Wouldn't recognize any type of media.
Coincidence ? Yea probably.
Costco replaced the DVD drive in warranty.

I have installed NEVER 10 from from Gibson Research (https://www.grc.com/never10.htm) on my Win 7 laptop and will do the same on the Win 8 laptop.
JD

hi
was ready to update free window 10 but i have been warn you must reformat your pc with only the 10 or going to be a conflict so i am puzzle what to do then but very happy with the 7

How do I print a page like yours that includes the comments? My current method (work around) is open a WORD Window, copy paste your page, then copy paste the comments.
NOTE: This is not just a Bob Rankin issue but is most typical of ANY page that allows comments.
I typically print to PDF but would like to Print the entire page.

Re: Install Windows 10 and keep Windows 7.

My Windows 7 is in 'C' partition and there is not enough GBs of free space in 'C'.

I have a 'D'and an 'E' partition almost empty. Can I use this?

Geoff Stokes, Koo Wee Rup, Victoria, Australia.

>>>> ...this method will result in a Windows 10 installation that is not “activated” because it is not an upgrade of your existing version of Windows.

The significant question is:

Following your instructions, will one be able to activate Windows 10 for free after the deadline of 29.07.16?

If one cannot activate Windows 10 for free later on, why should one bother to download it before the deadline?

If one is going to pay for Windows 10, then one can download the new OS and activate it when one wishes to start using it, say, after the support for Windows 7 ends in 2020.

I did the dual boot install and used the suggested program to find the WIN 7 key, but it will NOT accept it. I've tried several times, but WIN 10 says it's not valid. Help, SOMEONE, ANYONE!!