Surface Pro 3 Windows 10 Upgrade Clean Install and Recovery Partition

Anonymous
2015-07-17T19:54:51+00:00

I read that you can take your Surface to a MS store to have them install Windows 10 on it. Has anyone read the details, I can't seem to find out if this is going to be a new, clean install or an upgrade. And, will it update the recovery partition similar to what we have for Win8? I would guess I can use the iso files and do a clean install myself, but, I'm doubt I'd be able to update the recovery partition from the iso.

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update

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Anonymous
2016-03-28T17:43:58+00:00

For Surface Pro 3, it is possible to perform a clean install of Windows 10 through the use of a downloaded recovery image. This will put your device into the same state as it would be in when purchased new with Windows 10 installed.

Until the free Windows 10 upgrade offer ends on July 29th, 2016 you can use the Windows 10 recovery image on a Surface Pro 3 that has never had Windows 10 installed and it will activate using the product key that came with the device. After July 29th, 2016 the Windows 10 recovery image will only activate on devices that came with Windows 10 or had previously installed and activated Windows 10.

To use the recovery image:

  1. Go to the Download a recovery image for your Surface page and select your product.
  2. You should see the original Windows 8 image that shipped with your Surface, as well the new Windows 10 Version 1511 image.
  3. Click Download and follow the rest of the steps to create the Windows 10 recovery drive and use it to reset Surface.
  4. For more detailed information, see our Restore or reset Surface article.

 

Hope this helps,

Greg

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-07-17T22:58:06+00:00

    If you do a clean install, you have to have the Surface Pro 3 resource drivers to go along with that ISO image.  The Windows 10 drivers will not be readily available even if the ISO image is.

    With a regular PC, the drivers for those are generally readily available via Windows Update.  A Surface tablet is not a regular PC.  Others have attempted to do just that, and you can do a search and read their posts here on the forum.

    I did the online upgrade on my Surface Pro 3 with the TP since build 10130 and never had a problem except with build 10158 because I had too many files on the Drive C: and had to move them off to make space.  I sent feedback to Microsoft to keep and eye on the distribution size.  Since then, no problems.

    The recovery partition is upgraded with the Windows 10 recovery each time.  The final version will do the same.

    You can try the ISO installation if you want - it is your machine.  But if it blows off, it will be because of missing drivers.  The ISO image is a generic installation for all PCs, not just the tablets and Microsoft can be a little slow in getting the drivers out there.  Their servers are going to be bogged down 'big time' when the final version is released and that carries over to some of their other web sites to include the server that has the drivers.

    You can do a web search for "Surface Pro 3 resource drivers" and bookmark that web page.  Download the zip file and extract those to a USB pendrive and keep them handy if you do an install with ISO.  Once the system can identify the components within the tablet, then it can download the updated versions of the drivers via Windows Update.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-17T22:33:44+00:00

    Thanks. I'd rather have a clean install, maybe MS will have more details when the final software is rolled out this month.

    I'm running the TP since the program started. Only used the iso once to recover a PC that was not booting. It seemed like it did a clean install.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-17T22:16:40+00:00

    I haven't heard of any details as that.  The upgrade will come across Windows Update and you should already have the reservation request "at least" posted in the Windows Update panel.  If not, manually run Windows Update and install everything that comes across.  One of the updates will post a message asking you to "reserve" your copy of Windows 10.  You click "YES" and then that will follow with a message that you are reserved and a permanent message will post within the Windows Update panel.

    You will be notified when it is available and "YOU" install the upgrade by simply running an update and leave the machine alone for about 38 minutes.

    It does all the work for you.

    YES!  Your recovery image will be replaced with Windows 10 recovery!

    DO NOT attempt to do a clean install with an ISO image!  Others have done that with the Technical Preview and turned into a disaster.  Leave the machine alone and just let it upgrade when the upgrade is available.

    Just a couple more weeks to wait and you will get it.

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