hi htf - thanks for that explanation.

as it is i've reverted back to 7. i discovered part of the problem was my wacom right click not doing what it should do (with latest 10 drivers) whilst the mouse did do what it was supposed to.

as for the run as admin - i did another round on the net and to be honest, really can't be bothered. lots of suggestions but no definitive solutions.

i think if i upgrade to 10 it'll have to be a clean install on both my desktop7 pro pc's - and that could well mean waiting for sp1 just to make sure...

meanwhile, 13 on 7 has been rock solid, so why don't i listen to my own advice* - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Lewis Carroll — 'I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.'

With the way Windows 10 handles updates, you may not know when SP1 is installed. :)

After you update to Win 10, you can do a clean install from the disk that you can create. It makes for twice the work, but at least it does allow a clean install. Apparently your computer is registered with MS after up update to 10 so that the clean iinstall follows the same registration (thus, no cost for Win 10)

The Win 10 Update is an actual update, you need your original OS you updated from installed first, then run the update (you can burn the update to a DVD/usb drive to run it from). Best "clean" install you'll get (I think it was the Win 98 update that just required the install media once, then let you install)

I've had some small issues with Win 10 but nothing that's making me say I don't want it. The "run as admin" thing always drove me nuts. I even make sure my account is admin & most of the time I need to take the folder the program is in and give my account full access vs the defaults. Again, "older" programs or ones developed cross-platform tend to have issues but I've just learned how to handle it.

theHappyFriar,

You can do a clean install AFTER you have updated. Save a disk image that you download and after you have updated, you can install from that disk. Of course, you will then have to reinstall all applications.

No you can't. It wants a serial number. There is no serial number for the upgrade, it's based upon the previously installed OS. The previous OS's SN doesn't work either.

I tried, doesn't work & MS confirmed this on their forums.

Okay, I haven't done it, but apparently someone has.

[url=http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-10/aef0ae63-2117-41ee-a8ea-4a3181625b08]

Details


Please be aware that you cannot use the free upgrade offer to perform a clean install on first attempt. You must first upgrade from the qualifying version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 (whether you do it through Windows Update or using the .ISO file). Ensure the upgrade is completed successfully and then ensure that it is activated. You can then proceed to do a clean install by using recovery media or using the Reset function in Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC (Get Started).


FROM MS SITE:

Note
Warning

If you want to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, you need to use the Upgrade this PC now option. If you haven't upgraded to Windows 10 yet and perform a clean installation, you'll need to enter a product key or buy a license in order to activate Windows 10.


If you format a drive partition during installation, any data on the partition will be erased. Be sure to back up any data you want to keep before you begin.


If you upgraded to Windows 10 on this PC by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer and successfully activated Windows 10 on this PC in the past, you won't have a Windows 10 product key, and you can skip the product key page by selecting the Skip button. Your PC will activate online automatically so long as the same edition of Windows 10 was successfully activated on this PC by using the free Windows 10 upgrade offer.


FROM HOWTOGEEK:
If you want to perform a clean install of Windows 10 and haven’t upgraded to Windows 10 yet on your Windows 7 or 8.1 PC, you have some extra work to do. You’ll need to take advantage of Microsoft’s upgrade offer before performing a clean install. (Obviously, if you have a PC that came with Windows 10 or you’ve purchased your own Windows 10 license, this isn’t necessary.)

When you upgrade a Windows 7 or 8.1 system to Windows 10, the installer confirms that you have a “genuine Windows” system installed and activates your computer for use with Windows 10. Note that you don’t actually get a Windows 10 product key — instead, your computer’s hardware is registered with Microsoft’s servers. When you install Windows 10 on that PC again in the future, it will check in with Microsoft’s servers, confirm it’s installed on a registered PC, and automatically activate itself.

If you don’t take advantage of the upgrade process first, this registration will never happen. There’s no way to enter a Windows 7 or 8.1 key into the Windows 10 installer, nor is there some sort of web form that will give you a Windows 10 key if you provide your Windows 7 or 8.1 key. Sorry — you’ll have to upgrade to Windows 10 before you can perform a clean install.

If you need to upgrade, you can download Microsoft’s Windows 10 media creation tool and tell it to “Upgrade this PC now.” It will automatically upgrade you to Windows 10 if your PC is running a genuine version of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Once you’re done, confirm that Windows 10 is activated before performing a clean install. You can check this by opening Settings, selecting Update & Security, and selecting Activation.

Verify that you see “Windows is activated” here. Also, note the edition of Windows 10 you have installed — either Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. Most people will receive the Home edition as part of the free upgrade, but you’ll get Windows 10 Pro if you previously had a Professional edition of Windows 7 or 8.1 installed.

If Windows 10 isn’t activated, don’t try to perform a clean install until it is.

FROM TECHNET


Hi,

If you do not have a Windows 10 license, you still need to go back to Windows 7/8 to get it validate, and upgrade to Windows 10. Once Windows 10 is activated, you can do clean install after then.

If you do not have the licence of your previous system, you will need to contact your OEM (if it is an OEM license).


Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and un-mark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.

Marked as answer by Kate LiMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Wednesday, September 09, 2015 8:37 AM

[url=http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-win_upgrade/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-using-reset-this-pc/6f6335fc-8d15-4598-af16-033d1d8c16bf]


Can you give me a link to the forum that says to the contrary? Thanks