Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441429 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Yes, I've been able to upgrade quite a few system to Windows 10 for free. If you upgrade over the top it should go without a hitch, but then you bring all the old junk and registry issues over to the new system. Myself I prefer a format and install Windows fresh. Normally you can just input your COA Windows license into it and it will register but once in a blue moon it doesn't seem to work. There are articles on how to do the upgrade either way online. As for the trackers, not sure, that article was from today I believe so it apparently is new news. I always work locally, I don't share any data with anyone, I don't use on a phone so KeePass has been great for me for about 15 years now. Others often use it differently than I do though and want other options and features which KeePass does not have. So, if you're going to upgrade to Windows 10 then I'd say keep Malwarebytes off for now. If you're not then we can run our own MBST tool to do a clean removal and reinstall. Let me know Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441437 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Yeah, I'd like to upgrade. You raise a good point about a fresh install. Unless I wanted to buy a license (since I don't have the disc), I'd need to reinstall 8.1 and upgrade from there, right? All I see on MS is an ISO. I don't have a drive or disc media currently. It's all at work. I'd only be able to do it tonight with a USB option. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441438 Share Posted February 26, 2021 I always install via USB - never upgrade myself but let me get you a link for a decent article. Back in a bit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441442 Share Posted February 26, 2021 https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/ https://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/ And if you do decide to go the Clean Install route here is another articlehttps://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441449 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Yeah, I was actually using that Zdnet article to start with. So basically upgrade from 8.1 using that article and then use the tenforums link to reinstall using a USB? I actually have a USB made for it already. Before I got help here, I made one thinking I had 10 on this machine and I was attempting to use it for recovery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441452 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Reinstall from 10 Forums is to do a clean install where you'd lose all data. You'd need to make sure you have everything backed up first. If you have an external USB drive you could use Macrium Free to do an image of the current drive first. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441453 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Just getting the process you're suggesting right. So with the back up, we're looking at Backup ->Upgrade to 10 ->Fresh install from USB? I do have an external. I've got the SSD boot drive, a secondary HDD, and then an external HDD. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441454 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Backup Softwarehttps://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?/topic/136226-backup-software Macrium Reflect discussionhttps://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/264011-backup-files-software-which-one-to-choose-2020/?tab=comments#comment-1408188 The Free version of Macrium Reflect is typically more than enough for most users. I'm a bit confused. You use the term UPGRADE. That to me entails keeping all your current data and upgrading Window 8 to Window 10 FRESH install entails FORMATTING the drive thus losing ALL data that is not backed up. (see below about creating an image which would contain all your data and windows as it currently is) STEP 1 Create a full disk image of your current C: drive that contains Windows and your data. STEP 2 Build a bootable thumb drive from the latest Windows 10 ISO downloads using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool Then it depends on what type of installation you want to do. Fresh means you have to reinstall ALL applications (but you have a much faster, clean, secure installation) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441456 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Right. Perhaps I'm the one confused here. I am on 8.1. I'd like 10, but would I need to upgrade to 10 first before using a USB to reinstall 10 using my key? Or can I use the downloaded Win10 installation media to do this as a fresh install? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441457 Share Posted February 26, 2021 On that last part, I mean can I use the USB to do a fresh install of 10 while I'm still on 8.1? Sorry if it wasn't clear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441458 Share Posted February 26, 2021 You can use a blank brand new hard drive to do the install and it will still take your Window 8.1 license key and validate the install for every one I've done. Thus, for me the better choice is to backup all your data. Then build the USB bootable disk. Then boot from it, choose Advanced Install option and when there tell it to delete the partitions and install clean. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441459 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Interesting. That's where I was confused. I would not have guessed they'd let you use an 8.1 key to validate 10. Very cool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441460 Share Posted February 26, 2021 I've only had 2 computers not accept the key out of a few dozen I've done that way. If you can't get it to work you can always put back the old OS from the Macrium Reflect image you created, but I think it will work without an issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441461 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Awesome. Thanks. I'll start with the backup. I have a USB I set up a few days ago that I made from the "Create Windows 10 installation media" page on the MS website. Should be what I need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441463 Share Posted February 26, 2021 The external is a bust. It has power, but it's not connecting. It's been disconnected from my system for quite some time. I'll have to figure something else out. lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441473 Share Posted February 26, 2021 See if any of these links work for you. Or are your ports physically damaged? https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/44611/Why+are+my+USB+ports+not+working https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/367336/USB+port+on+the+right+side+no+longer+work https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/93530/2+of+my+3+usb+ports+not+working https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/75641/USB+ports+not+working! https://forums.tomsguide.com/faq/how-to-fix-non-working-usb-ports-on-toshiba-satellite-laptop.188323/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441474 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Nah, the ports work fine. I've been using them for everything. It's gotta be the drive. I've had it a long time, but haven't been using it. Was just storing old music & video files on it. I've been just using spotify/amazon music for a couple of phones now lol. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441477 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Disassembled the external. It was an old WD MyBook with an IDE connector inside. I have an IDE/SATA to USB connector somewhere around here. I'll try hooking it up tomorrow afternoon and see if I can't get this thing rolling. I appreciate the help. I'll let you know how it goes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 26, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441485 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Okay, sounds good. I'll check back on you in the morning then and see how things are going. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441665 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Dug out the adapter and nothing. Guess it's the drive itself. If I want to make a backup, my storage HDD drive inside my case is going to be the only option. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 26, 2021 Author ID:1441677 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Drive is faulty. I'm shopping for a new external. I also accidentally posted on one of those old posts you referred me to. That's what I get for multitasking and having a bunch of tabs open. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 27, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441684 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Okay, no problem. I moved your post back here. Good luck and once you get the new drive let me know if you need further assistance or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 27, 2021 Author ID:1441727 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Okay. Ran to the store and picked up an external HD. Did the backup, but didn't end up needing it. Installed 10 on top of 8.1 and installed Chrome. Looks clean, except for a couple folders in C drive like Riot Games and one for an adware cleaner from back in the day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted February 27, 2021 Root Admin ID:1441729 Share Posted February 27, 2021 It's like home or car insurance. Never need it until you don't have it. Then something bad happens and you're not covered. Glad to hear then that all seems okay. Did you need help with anything else here? Did you get Malwarebytes installed again? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeCook Posted February 27, 2021 Author ID:1441730 Share Posted February 27, 2021 No, I have installed nothing other than Chrome. I wanted to hear from you first in case you needed something run. So when I do my installs, do you recommend Ninite? I used to use it for all my first install stuff, but as we've established, I've been living in 2014-2015 software-wise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts