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Cool! Thank you!It is possible to clean install Win 10 without doing the upgrade install first.
Here is a tutorial by Brink explaining how:
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums
You're welcome !
Yep that would be the way to go Chris on a dedicated SSD and then it only a matter of wiping it or simply disconnecting it when you want.
Having said that with all the nonsense and shenanigans with 10 and having tried it I will not be doing anything until support for 7 runs out.
I create a System Image Backup (Macrium) of my OS partition before doing any major changes such as this.
That way i can restore that image and be back to where i was before the change.
I trust that approach more than relying on the MS built-in "Restore Previous OS" feature.
I've used System Image Backups (Macrium, Acronis, Ghost) for many years, and they work reliably for me.
I think MS is suppose to change how the free W10 upgrade offer works in the next major release.
You will be able to use a valid W7 or W8.1 license to do a clean install, making the upgrade simpler.
You would have to keep on eye on Windows 10 Forums posts, or ask there for more info.
Yes that is an option David but ti still worries me re that privacy and other change to functions issues. Until they get that sorted I shall not be using it.
I don't understand how you could get an imaged USB drive from HP that would include everything you had before the update.
Did what they give you include and restore all your previously installed programs, and configuration changes ?
I believe they could only give you some media that would restore the PC to "Factory Defaults".
[QUOTE=DavidE;3167137][QUOTE=cpmusic;3167131]I didn't, and I apologize if I implied otherwise. The reason I felt safe using that PC is that it had nothing of consequence that I hadn't copied from my desktop, and personal settings were mild. I bought the PC out of curiosity and waited too long to return it, so we've kept it around for casual use. As you noted, the USB drive restored it to factory specs.
No problem, and i understand.
I just wasn't sure i understood correctly, and you answered that.
:)
Hi John,
I understand your (and others) concerns, and can't disagree with them.
I don't know what W10 will evolve into going forward, i don't know if anyone does.
Right now MS is offering a free upgrade to W10 for a qualified W7 and W8.x PC/OS/License.
If a person uses the free upgrade offer now, the valid/activated W10 license is stored on a "MS W10 activation server" .
So, you should be able to get the free update now, restore the W7 or W8.x OS and keep using what you have now, as long as you want.
Then if a year or 2 or 5 from now you decide you want W10, you should be able to install/use W10 with the license (free) that is stored on the MS activation server.
Or, you could purchase a new W10 license, or use some other OS such as Linux.
From everything I've read, that's my understanding.
:)