How to upgrade my W7 PC to SSD & W10

mac.d

At some point this year I plan to upgrade my Dell W7 PC to W10 and at the same time do it as a clean install on a new SSD drive. For some reason my PC wasn't eligible to get the free W10 upgrade (not sure why as it was a new system bought from Dell), so I figure I should buy a W10 licence (ebay?) in case I again hit problems with my W7 licence.

I have used the downloaded tool to install W10 from USB, so I just need to buy the SSD drive & mounting kit & W10 licence and I'm good to go right? Is there anything I need to do when installing the new SSD to make it the main drive, like should I swap it with the HDD, or just slot it in the empty bay? Should I unplug the HDD when installing W10 just to make sure, or is it sufficient just to point the installation to the SSD drive?

Also, will I need to back up my docs, photos and music from my HDD and then format it, or can I uninstall W7 from it and still keep the files?

Thanks!

stragglebod

If you're doing a clean install then just disconnect the data cable from the old drive while you install on the new - best to have just the one drive active when installing windows.


Then once done reconnect the old drive and you'll be able to use it as a second data drive. No particular need to uninstall W7.

techquest

Just did a W7 to W10 upgrade on a laptop 2 weeks ago.

Usually a failed upgrade is down to drivers and 3rd party devices that the upgrade process has issues with. You can overcome this by disconnecting from net after download has completed and before you reboot, though it doesn't always solve the issue.

No problem with doing what stragglebod suggests, save that you will have to grant permission to the folders/files on the W7 drive to get at them, this can sometimes take a long while. The way around that is to put all your folders and files onto another partition of that drive, which you do by grabbing unused space from the C: drive, usually where all your files are stored, and making a new partition, it's a simple thing to do. If you need help then just let us know.

There should be no reason to have to buy a new W10 Key, your W7 key should be good enough, but let us know if you get stuck with that issue.

As a matter of interest, what Dell model is it exactly?

AndyPix

1. Get a usb drive or whatever to backup your docs and do that
2. go here https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
and choose "download tool now" - do that and run it ..
(you will need a blank USB stick with 8GB free for next step)
3. Accept the terms, and then choose "create installation media" and click next
4. Either change the requirements or dont (best options should be there as default) and click next
5 choose USB flash drive and then click the drive letter of the blank USB stick you have in
6 Wait
7 once its done, eject it and turn off computer, remove HDD and install SSD
8 Plug in USB stick and turn on computer and mash the F12 key
9 choose to boot from the USB stick and W10 will be installed
10 Copy your documents back from wherever you backed them up


Chances are it wont ask for a license key, but if it does just give it your W7 key - it will work fine


If you cant get it done by following that then maybe this isnt for you

mac.d

OK, so nothing to lose but some space on the drive by leaving W7 on there, good that makes it easier.

As for the failed upgrade, I can't remember the exact message, but it was related to my W7 licence saying it wasn't eligible for the upgrade, nothing to do with drivers or anything else, the upgrade process didn't even start. Also did another W8 PC around the same time and it went without a hitch.

Edit: andypix thanks but did you just glance at my post, I've done half of that already lol

AndyPix

Oh i see .. sorry


Yeah i would unplug the hdd and swap it with the ssd while you install W10
Then, if you install the hdd as a slave you can just delete the windows folder and the registry hives from it


edit : If it were me though id probly backup my files elsewhere and then format the HDD when you plug it back in, then copy the files back to it

EveryWhere

mac.d wrote: »

OK, so nothing to lose but some space on the drive by leaving W7 on there, good that makes it easier.

As for the failed upgrade, I can't remember the exact message, but it was related to my W7 licence saying it wasn't eligible for the upgrade, nothing to do with drivers or anything else, the upgrade process didn't even start. Also did another W8 PC around the same time and it went without a hitch.

Edit: andypix thanks but did you just glance at my post, I've done half of that already lol

Dependent on the model, which you haven't posted yet(Do do by posting the Service tag or Express Code) there will be no need to purchase another licence for Windows 10 and no problems with the clean install of Windows 10.

Come back with the details and we'll go from there.

mac.d

I'll give it a try using the W7 key I have, but if it wasn't accepted when I tried the upgrade process back in 2016, why would it be ok now?

techquest

mac.d wrote: »

Service Tag: {Edited by Forum Team}

I'll give it a try using the W7 key I have, but if it wasn't accepted when I tried the upgrade process back in 2016, why would it be ok now?

Service tag comes up as an XPS 8300 - 64bit

Have checked with dell support and there doesn't seem to be any issues to prevent you upgrading to W10. In fact Windows 10 "Fall Creators Update" is reported to run smoothly on the XPS-8300. So if you need help getting it on the machine there is plenty of help on this forum to get you there. Your W7 key should be good to go.

EveryWhere

techquest wrote: »

Service tag comes up as an XPS 8300 - Express Service Code: - 64bit

Have checked with dell support and there doesn't seem to be any issues to prevent you upgrading to W10. In fact Windows 10 "Fall Creators Update" is reported to run smoothly on the XPS-8300. So if you need help getting it on the machine there is plenty of help on this forum to get you there. Your W7 key should be good to go.

No need for you to post the Express Code. Do you mind editing it from your post?

EveryWhere

mac.d wrote: »

Service Tag:

I'll give it a try using the W7 key I have, but if it wasn't accepted when I tried the upgrade process back in 2016, why would it be ok now?

You don't need the key in this instance, nor do you need to upgrade over the top of Windows 7.
In this case you can utilise the gatherosstate method to run a clean install of Windows 10 to the new SSD.
So order the SSD. There will be no issues to do with activation.
There is no need for you to keep the Service Tag up any more, so you can edit that part of your post
I'm guessing that your system was supplied with Windows 7 Home Premium?
Is that what is currently installed?
Are you running the latest BIOS; https://www.dell.com/support/home/uk/en/ukbsdt1/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=r318123&oscode=w764&productcode=xps-8300