Download but not install Windows 10

chaosrealm93 said:

Aww sick!

You won't be charged for an activation key if you install Win 10 after the free upgrade cutoff date right/.

Also when I fresh install Win 10, do I just use my Win 7 key or will I have to install Win 7 first then upgrade?

You have til July 2016 to install the free upgrade, after that date you'll have to pay for it. If you have pre-loaded Windows 10 on your machine but past the date of free upgrade for activation, its like you have it never installed.

When clean install ( see the Tip! box in tutorial) Windows 10 from Usb Stick or Dvd Iso, the key won't activate itself and from what i've experienced using the Windows 7 key is not permitted, you'll have to skip to continue the process until the install is fully made to desktop.

if you want to trigger the activation license key and been able to clean install after without the activation , i'm afraid you will have to go through the process of the upgrade install before.