Surface Pro 3 Windows 10 Upgrade Clean Install and Recovery Partition

Anonymous

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.

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Anonymous

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:

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

Hope this helps,

Greg

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59 additional answers

Barb Bowman 80,810 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2015-08-07T12:15:36+00:00

I'd hate to see you have to BUY a copy of the OS. If you are going in to a MS Store, bring your tablet and explain everything there see if they will swap you out for one that already has W10 installed.

I'm not questioning why you want a clean install. I totally understand.
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Anonymous

2015-08-07T11:32:33+00:00
Barb,
1. I had all the TPs installed from the beginning of the program, including the last, 10240. It was always the pro version, not enterprise or home.
2. The person I spoke with for phone activation was adamant that Win10 could only be activated by upgrading from Win8.1; if you installed from the ISO, it wouldn't active the free version as you needed a product code. No how, no way. But the prople I spoke with about using the ISOs were just as sure it would work.
3. I opened a few cases, SRX1298812088ID is one. I had a few chat sessions with tech support to be sure that I could clean install. they sent me the links and instructions.
Why clean install? Having problems, screen would never shut off, pin wouldn't work, etc. Enough for me to decide its better to start fresh with a new OS.

Its been a few days and still hasn't activated. I'll probably stop at the MS store tonight and pickup the OS.
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Barb Bowman 80,810 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2015-08-07T11:17:38+00:00
1. did you have 10240 from the TP activated and was it Windows 10 Pro or were you experimenting with Enterprise?
2. activating 10240 (Home or Pro), even from the TP, registers the device with the store and after that you "should" be able to install clean and activate, but there certainly are reports that this has not been working, or working slowly (taking a few days).
3. do you have a case number from your contact with Support?
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Anonymous

For me, a clean install would be to take the Win10 ISO from MS and the Surface drivers, then use that to install the OS on the machine. I don't see how that's possible if you want the free upgrade. I believe once you have Win10 install, there are ways to reinstall the OS like "refresh your machine" but to me, these aren't a clean install.

I was working with an MS tech prior to trying this so they aren't clear on it as three different people told me it would work and sent me links. Worthless effort. After I told them it failed, he's what they sent me. Maybe it will help you, just not worth my time to backup, install 8.1, install 10, then reinstall all my apps.

From MS:

This is Christopher form Surface support, Since the SLUI 4 is not working. We need to rollback the Surface Windows to Windows 8.1 and after we need to run the update so that we can get the free Windows 10. Just incase if you cannot rollback to Windows 8.1, we will download the USB recovery image for Windows 8.1 in the website. Below is the link.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/downloadablerecoveryimage

Using a Surface USB recovery drive:

To reset your Surface from a USB recovery drive:

Step 1:	Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in.
Step 2:	Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port on your Surface.
Step 3:	Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the power button on your Surface.
Step 4:	When the Surface logo appears, release the volume button.
Step 5:	When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.
Step 6:	Tap or click Troubleshoot, and tap or click Reset your PC.
Step 7:	If prompted for a recovery key, tap or click Skip this drive at the bottom of the screen.
Step 8:	Tap or click the target operating system you wish to reset. This refers to the current operating system installed on your Surface.
Step 9:	Tap or click Yes, repartition the drives, and on the next page, tap or click<br>Next.
Step 10:	Choose either Just remove my files or Fully clean the drive. <br><br>The option to clean the drive is more secure but takes much longer. For example, if you are recycling your Surface, you should choose to clean the drive. If you are keeping your Surface, you just need to remove your files.
Step 11:	Tap or click Reset. <br><br>Surface restarts and the Surface logo displays while the reset process continues (this can take several minutes).

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