Can I Upgrade From Xp To Windows 10?

Hello again,
I have a 4Core1600-GLAN motherboard running a quad core intel cpu @2.40GHZ and 4GB of RAM, SSD intel drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400GT graphics card that has been running XP for a few years.
Could I install windows 10 on this machine?

If I had a new Win 10 serial number could I install the new OS onto a clean disk drive? Or would I need to do any upgrading first?

Thanks for helping,
s.

 

Yes.
But you can only upgrade Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10.

 

Thank you Eldon. What I really mean is can I Install windows 10 onto my desktop.
I don't want to 'upgrade'. Just want to start afresh.
Many thanks,
s.

 

http://www.windowscentral.com/heres-windows-10-system-requirements-running-os-your-pc

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC

• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit

• Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS

• Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver

• Display: 1024x600

 

Yes if the hardware supports Windows 10 then obviously all you would have to do is buy a Windows 10 version disc.

 

Thank you
baklogic
. I came across the above but wondered about my NVIDIA GeForce 9400GT graphics card?
s.

 

Thank you MaxTurner. I recently came across this informative and helpful video

Best wishes,
s.

 

That's great to know!

 

Your PC's hardware can easily handle Windows 10.

 

Apparently these are MDSN keys,.--From previous Microsoft communication, I understand that they(Microsoft) do not give keys away without the software.

 

In truth I am not sure where these keys come from.

The creator of the video does put this comment on the video page;

- Aren't these just MSDN keys? They could be; I am hoping they aren't. I am pretty sure the keys I've gotten through r/microsoftsoftwareswap were MSDN keys, and as stated in the video I've had those de-activate on me after months of use. My assumption for now based on what was delivered to me is that the key I bought on Kinguin was an OEM license sold in bulk from Microsoft to a distributor or system integrator. Microsoft sells Windows licenses in bulk for way less money than you would pay as a consumer purchasing a single copy. Whether these distributors are following Microsoft's guidelines in re-selling the licenses is beyond me (I'm pretty sure Microsoft doesn't approve), but if I can access their bulk pricing via this method then I am gonna do it unless I find a significantly compelling reason not to.

Best wishes,
s.

 

It is a chance that you have to realise, it could be de,activated at some time- However, as Microsoft are giving it away as a free update, at present................

 

Not to XP or Vista users. And it would be more expensive to buy Windows 7 in order to get a free upgrade to 10.
In that kinguin site if a user pays the small insurance/protection, they'll get their money back if it wont activate.
Or just buy a full retail version of Windows 10 since XP to 10 is a big leap so not a great cost, even at the normal price.

 

I do accept that it would be something of a gamble to progress as directed in the video. But other than a new PSU unit - my desktop screeches for a few minutes on startup, all seems to be working fine. I like XP but as a belt and braces Geezer I like to have a plan...

Maybe I should clone my SSD drive onto the disconnected disk drive from which I cloned to the SSD a couple of years ago. Then with the hard drive as primary, format the SSD in a usb caddy. Then reconnect it as the only sata drive and install Win 10.

Just a plan.

Thanks for keeping me thinking.
s.

 

If you are studying anywhere, it might be worth looking at the Students version to see if you can qualify for a free version.
http://onthehub.com/download/free-software/windows-10-education-for-students/

 

I understand what you are saying about some students in some schools being able to get a free version of 'Windows 10 Education for Students'
But it's not a

- it's a completely unique edition of Windows 10 exclusively available to certain students.
Anyone with a Win 7, 8 or 8.1 machine can get a free upgrade to a similar version of Windows 10 before July 29th this year but the version mentioned above is not the same.

 

Still got my thinking cap on...
Having been using 32bit XP for quite a while I was curious as to whether my system could take 64bit.
I found http://www.igorware.com/64bit-checker and found that my processor was compatible with 64bit.

If I go ahead with changing my OS should I run 64bit?

Then we come to MBR and GBT .

My motherboard bios reads MBR disks. If I convert the disk to GBT through shift|F10 diskpart...


On reboot will the motherboard read the GBT disk and open?

Would I need to update the Bios?

s.

 

Take a look here. I bought the Windows 10 Pro Enterprise several months ago for $59.99 and held on to the download instructions PDF they sent. I had need to re-download the ISOs and both 32-bit and 64-bit ISOs downloaded. I still had the Product Key I purchased so Windows 10 Activated. Now, they only want $29.00 for Win 10 (Key and downloads)!

 

Windows 10 WILL install and run on MBR disks. That's what I'm running it on. GPT goes hand-in-hand with UEFI the replacement for BIOS.

In the Setup screen you get after pressing F2, Del(ete), etc during the POST screen to enter Setup, if there's no mention of UEFI or Secure Boot, you'll have to stick with MBR.

There is no way to change BIOS to UEFI. UEFI is considerably larger and won't fit on the BIOS chips.

 

It's GPT, not GBT. Don't use a GPT disk unless you have a UEFI motherboard. BIOS cannot boot GPT.

 

Thank you mdonah, that helps a lot. My PC has a BIOS and no secure boot/UEFI choice. I would be stuck with MBR. Just a little concerned with installation as I've found Windows 10 declares itself unable to install on a MBR disk?

Looking to see if I can run 64 bit I came across
http://www.howtogeek.com/228042/how-to-switch-from-32-bit-windows-10-to-64-bit-windows-10/

In it it suggests you run CPU-Z http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
I will upload my scan...




The quote from the article viz;
“SSE2” will appear under Instructions if it’s supported. “EM64T” or “AMD64” should indicate that PAE is supported. “VT-x” or “VT-d” always indicates that NX is supported.

would suggest that 64 bit should work.

Does the same product key work for both 64 bit and 32 bit versions?

Thanks for all the help.
s.

 

I would consider updating the Bios, if one is available, as it could well be needed to actually get a good performance with Windows 10.
MBR., and 64BIT. You are unlikely to need more than a 2tb hard drive, because of the older motherboard.

 

Apologies E, My head is getting a little confused with all the choices.
s.

 

My largest drive is 500GB. In 1991 I bought my first Windows / IBM compatible PC. two 5 and a quarter floppy drives and 40MB hard drive. 2tb drives are too big to think about.
Cheers.
s.

 

Just updated the BIOS.
Was feeling a little tense but it worked.
Thanks.
s.