Install Windows 8 Without Windows 7

Technical Level
  1. Windows 8 Windows 7 Download

Dec 25, 2016  The fact is we can install or reinstall Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 10 operating system without formatting or erasing Windows drive provided that the drive has plenty of free space to accommodate the new installation.

: Intermediate

This allowed users to perform a clean install Windows 10 and enter a valid Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key during installation. Windows 10 would then report that key to Microsoft’s servers, and Windows 10’s activation servers would give your PC a “digital entitlement” (now a “digital license”) to continue using Windows 10 for free, just as. Put the Windows 7 installation disc in the DVD drive, and then restart the computer. Press a key when you are prompted to restart from the disc. In the Install Windows window, select a language, a keyboard input method or other input method, and then click Next. In the Install Windows window, click Repair your computer.

Summary

This article shows you how to install Windows 7 without having to enter the product key during setup.


Details

If you need to diagnose a problem with a computer or facilitate the installation of another version of Windows on a computer, doing what is known as a keyless installation make this possible. The process involves not entering your product key during the Out of Box Experience portion of setup. This is the part where you complete task such as setting up your account name, join a wireless network, password and set your time zone.

The article discusses how to do a keyless installation for Windows 7 by doing a clean install, this also works if you are starting the installation from within a running installation of Windows.

After inserting the Windows 7 disc/USB stick, restart your computer and boot from the DVD.

To learn how to change your BIOS options to boot from the DVD drive, see the following tutorial:

How to boot from a USB stick:

When the computer starts, you will be prompted to boot from the Windows 7 DVD, click any key to do so. Windows 7 will load files on your hard disk to assist with the installation.

Install Windows 8 Without Windows 7

We have now arrived at the Setup screen, here you will select your Language if the option is available, time and currency and keyboard. After doing this, click Next.

To begin the installation, click Install Now

Blackberry os 7 notification sounds download. Accept the End User License Agreement then click Next

Click the Custom (advanced) option, we will be configuring the hard disk.

Select the partition on which Windows 7 will be installed, then click Drive options (advanced)

If there is more than one drive listed, it likely means, one is a Recovery partition and the other is the System Partition. Avoid formatting or deleting the Recovery partition, select the system partition where Windows 7 is installed and click Format.

You will be warned that all data on the drive will be destroyed. Again, make sure all your files, settings are backed up. Make sure you have downloaded all necessary drivers, have all application disks near by. If you are unsure, click cancel, and then click Next. This will do is create a Windows.old folder with the previous installation still intact so you can recover any missing files.

Skip entering your Product Key:

This is the message you will receive when you attempt to enter a product key for a Upgrade version of Windows 7. The simple workaround is to skip entering your product key for the time being and click Next. Complete task such as setting up your account name, password, time zone etcetera.

By doing this, you can run Windows 7 normally for 30 days before requiring product activation. This is great for testing and confirming any problems you might experience before committing to the installation full time. If you determine you would like to keep the installation, you can simply update the product key by entering it.

Here is how you do that:

Click Start, right click Computer

Click Properties

Scroll down to Windows activation.

Install Windows 8 Without Windows 7

You will notice it displays a time until Activation but be completed. Also the Product ID indicates it is using a default key, this is only for the 30 day grace period allowed until you must activate Windows 7.

Click the link, Change product key

Enter the product key

Proceed to enter the product key and click Next

Wait while Windows attempts to activate.

Windows 8 Windows 7 Download

If all goes well, within a minute, you should see this screen.

You can further confirm Windows 7 is activated by checking the Windows Activation status:

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