Windows 10 Clean install from "Free Upgrade"

PLEASE DELETE THIS THREAD MODS

 

Extracting the Win 10 key using Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder (steps 2,3, and 7 above) appears to be unnecessary. See: http://hexus.net/tech/features/software/85085-how-clean-install-windows-10-usb-drive/ cc
[after upgrade to Win 10]: "the device is now Windows 10 activated, and that means the new OS can be re-installed on the same hardware at your heart's content. You don't need a key, you simply install the OS and it'll activate whenever you're online. You just need an Internet connection".
Disclaimer: I did not verify it.

 

You could also use the Windows feature to do a clean installation from within Windows. It even asks you if you want to do an installation without clearing the drive or not (advanced format or just delete MBR).

 

Actually I stand corrected... further testing is needed. The install did not activate at all.

I saw this too however I dont think this should be suggested. Something I noticed during my clean install from USB. I tried to keep my original Dellienware partitions (recovery etc). However Windows warned me that the GPT partitions were not in the correct order and were not setup properly for Windows 10. Perhaps this is partially a reason why some people have poor performance when doing a Windows 10 "upgrade" vs a "Clean Install".

 

Actually to follow up.. nothing is working LOL. I have tried so many different ways. MS claims that the servers are busy. However the confusing part is when this "server busy" issue is happening the error message says blocked key or something similar. Oh man this is crazy.

 

I'm thinking about going back to Win8.1.. Dell didn't provide half the drivers you need for Win10.. you have to use win8.1 drivers (chipset, etc) to get everything remaining in device manager to work and it seems like so far less battery life as well.. I used to get about 7+ hours using this as a workstation in 8.1 (low brightness and other battery saving tricks).. The same tricks in Win10 i'm getting 5ish or less now.. Could be drivers, i'm not sure yet but Win10 feels a little flakey on this AW15.

 

MS servers must be overloaded with so many people getting W10. There are reports of people installing W10 on Alienware without any issues, and reporting that W8.1 drivers are just fine. However I think I will wait a bit untill the dust settles, Dell provides proper drivers, various issues are fixed. While W10 looks good, W8.1 with Classic Shell menu is stable on my AW13, and other then curiosity, I see no need to ruch the update.

 

After a week of Error 0xC004C003 I think I finally found the proper process. I will edit my post or make a new post later when I get 100% confirmation.

 

I heared you just need to click multiple times on the butto even if it shows as non-active waiting for server confirmation.