There are lots of posts in the main Windows 10 thread about having to wait for the icon etc. You don't need to do that!

Go to: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...d=ms_wol_win10

Just download and run the tool. Choose upgrade. If you don't choose upgrade, you will not get an activated version of Windows 10 at the end. Again, do not do a clean install or you will lose your current Windows 7/8 license and will have to install it again.

Windows 10 will download and then install. After choosing upgrade you will be given a choice of whether you want to keep your existing apps (applications/programs/software), files and/or settings . I suggest you keep all.

Normal disclaimers apply: backup your data first, preferably using a system image tool.

When I try this, the media creation tool says 'Something happened' and I have to close it.

When going the upgrade route, not the create a media one?

I forced the update through the command prompt way. Touch wood the laptop accepted it fine, keeping my old stuff and there was no activation issues like other people had, it'd just done that automatic for me.

Just to add when you click the upgrade option it keeps everything you have, I tried this way since I never got the update pop up and it went flawless.

I've tried this way too but that's not happening either. It activates the download, downloads it but fails when installing it. I ve tried it a few times and am just sick of it now.

The laptop is only two weeks old and there's barely anything on it.

Try right clicking on the media creation tool exe and select 'Run as administrator', even if you are logged into an administrator account.

Did you delete the files in Windows>SoftwareDistribution>Download first, I had to do that before windows update would kick in with what I was trying to do.

General notes: Check the following:

Disable AV
Unplug all USB / SD devices except keyboard and mouse
Run Media Creation Tool as admin, as mentioned

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However, for those who get failure after the long download:

It's an idea to "Create installation media for another PC" beforehand.
It can be used to create the DVD, USB Flash or downloaded iso file.

Image1, Image2, Image3

Once you have this, there shouldn't be any need for long repeat downloads.


To Upgrade to W10 from the newly created DVD or Flash, open the drive and double-click Setup (Setup.exe)


To upgrade from the iso file:

1. If you are upgrading from W8.1, you can 'mount' it by right-clicking it then running the Setup file.

2. If you are upgrading from W7, you need a 3rd party Mounting tool for the iso file.
WinCDemu does the job (I've checked it is free of Junkware)


Install WinCDemu

Right-click W10 iso file. Choose "Select drive letter and mount"
Select "Keep drive after restart" http://postimg.org/image/sflg6w8t1/

Open the drive and Run Setup, as in previous http://postimg.org/image/z19t3ymwv/

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Note that running Setup is the way to Upgrade.

Booting from DVD/Flash is used for Clean Installs (which should not be done until after first Upgrade)

How-to Geek: How to Clean Install windows 10

http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-...ll-windows-10/

Cheers for the tips guys.


Tried this but got the same outcome.


I did delete them. No joy
.

Worth a shot. Ill let yez know how i get on.

i'm trying to achieve a clean install which involves having to install windows 10 twice. Very frustrating.

I am hoping this activation thing works!

For those who like belts and braces, you can backup Windows 10 Activation after upgrade.

http://joshcellsoftwares.com/product...tokensmanager/

Move the folder off C: before doing a clean install

(You can backup W7 activation too, before upgrade, if you fancy. Rename the file so it's clear)


Thanks to Stig for the thread. The other one was a bit noisy

Thanks guys for the tips. Putting the install files onto USB and doing it that way has worked. I haven't had a chance to go through Windows 10 but it's on it.

All happy now

Does your own use show it working with the Win10 activation? The page itself that you point to only claims up to Win 8.1 (and even with 8.1 says there are problems).

Yes. I see it working - Before - After

This tool is just another method of backing up, and multiple backups are always sensible.
If it doesn't work for some users, or MS change their system, other methods are still available.

eg Restoring a System Image, contacting the MS Activation phone line

Other Technical notes on the whole W10 Upgrade process https://techjourney.net/gwx-starts-d...4-10240-16405/

The whole point of this thread is that you do not need to use the GWX/Windows Update route. You can simply download and install Windows 10 directly using the media creation tool.

Oops, now I read this after installing Windows10 last night It just didn't occur to me. Luckily I had no problems. Is there a free system image tool available?

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

Safe download, widely recommended round here. Start a new thread if you get stuck

Basically "Image selected disks" and follow your nose
(SYS and C is enough for these upgrade purposes, unless you are UEFI and have slightly different?)


Also click Other Tasks and make a PE5 Boot Menu and/or Recovery Media

Stop talking dirty!
hahaha
What is UEFI?