Upgrading to Windows 10, from Win 7

Hi @John-J ,

You may try to download Win10 from Microsoft and upgrade from existing Win7. During the upgrade process, choose "I do not have a license number" whenever it ask for. When everything's done, you will find Windows activated successfully because license already embedded for OEM PC. Then you can freely reinstall it ever after by a clean Win10 installation or "Recovery > Reset this PC" options in Win10 if needed.

Microsoft Allows you to use the KEY from the COA sticker for windows 7 to go to 10.

You do this with a Clean Install using an OEM System Builder DVD of windows 10  1809.

You can use ONE DVD for all of your workstations.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832588491

When you F12 Boot from the DVD you tell windows that you do not have a key and install.

When you go online you run SLUI 3  from admin command prompt to update the key on each machine and activate.

Once this is done you won't ever need to do it again.

If the machines have WINDOWS 8 or WINDOWS 10 SLP key in BIOS the installer DVD will not ask you for a key and it will install and activate automatically.  Once The clean install is done you only need to install the OEM sound Drivers and Chipset Drivers.

HOME IS BLUE PRO IS PURPLE

---

@John-J wrote:

Hi Dell Comminity,

A few years back we purchased several Dell Optiplex workstations. When they were initially purchased, they were licensed with Windows 10 with a Windows 7 option. Because our company is only using Windows 7, we opted with the Windows 7 OS. There was an option to install Windows 10 because this was the original OS on the optiplex. Does any one have any idea how to install (or go back) to the original OS Windows 10?

---

Simply download Windows 10 for free create USB using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool.

Install.

If they were supplied with Windows 10 pro Licenses Downgraded to Windows 7 Pro, the Product Key is embedded in the UEFI BIOS. Follow my instructions here to download Windows 10 Installation Media and perform a Clean Install:

https://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-oem-faqs-and-downloads/

Optiplex 3020

Could you clarify something for me? I call Microsoft and got instructions on how to perform inplace upgrade to Windows 10. (Our system has Windows 7 Pro and I don't think it was downgraded from Windows 10 Pro.)

It looks like it will work, I started the setup tool up and it asked me, What do you want to do? Choices were Upgrade this PC now (my choice) or Create installation media (USB, flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC. I quit it at this point for reasons below.

The only product ID I can find is the one in system information *****-oem-*******-*****

I don't want to start the upgrade and get stuck in the middle of it. Is that above product ID sufficient for the upgrade, or is it even needed? I assume I will have to buy the upgrade. I am fine with that. Any help is appreciated. I read a lot of the articles on Upgrading but didn't see this answered yet.

Thanks.

You should be able to upgrade fine as long as your hardware and software is OK. If it asks for a key click I don't have one. Also, make sure you disable any antivirus/antimalware running before the upgrade.

I usually do a major cleanup and maintenance prior to upgrading.

You have to have a legit Key from COA sticker.

Otherwise you gotta buy windows.

WINDOWS 25 digit COA KEY

Systems that were shipped with 8  and 10 DO NOT HAVE A COA key its stored in bios.

Windows 8 / 10 keys are encrypted stored in the Bios installed at the factory.  There are no more COA Stickers due to piracy. (OEM System Builder Versions Do Still have COA Stickers)

Windows 8 now comes with a Genuine Microsoft Label there are NO MORE Certificate of Authenticity (COA) Labels. There is a Windows Genuine Label that may say PRO or Home

See the following examples of labels to look for.

Color-Shifting Ink
The color shift on the label is designed to change from one color to another when viewed from different angles,

making it easy to determine if it is genuine.

Windows 8: magenta to green

Windows 8 Pro: blue to purple

Windows RT: turquoise to purple

Genuine Microsoft Labels

Downolad free Home version from microdope. I use Rufus to create bootable USB. If you want faster drive use GPT no MBR, but you will have to change BIOS settings to UEFI. Most of the drivers come with win10. Some drivers available on Dell web site. I got 10 working fine.