After replacing hard drive, I can't get my system back to Windows 10

I think I can buy the copy of windows 10 from Microsoft, for 12 bucks; that saves us both 11 bucks; for taxes, insurance, and tariffs.....oh and shipping in some states.

Now, to me, that seems to be a "software pirate" that has sold you a product-key (without supplying any media or support) for about 10% of the retail price.

Note that Microsoft has "removed Windows 10 from marketing".

So, retail stores cannot get any inventory of copies from Microsoft.

I have a blue-ray in my machine, not sure if that will write, or to Dual layer disc? I have not done a duel [dual?] layer, in at least ten years, maybe never.

My guess is that any device that can read BluRay media will also be able to read/write in dual-layer mode.

I still don't have a trustable ligit ISO to burn yet, because I can't get the Windows media creation tool to run.

You keep saying that, but you need to supply more details about the "failure".

If I do get that far; I will refer back to this helpful information, if my devices can't burn dual layer discs, and stores don't have DUAL layer discs.

I still can't ascertain for sure; if I will need to burn a disc;

Short answer: you do not need to burn onto dual-layer media.

The Media Creation Tool can create a "bootable" image on any 8GB USB memory-stick.

I gave you a hyperlink to Amazon, where you can purchase dual-layer media, for about $1 (CAD) each.

or if the media tool I can't get to run, can create an executable file straight to the USB to run; because I have not seen what the "media creation tool offers or does". IT WON'T OPEN, IT WON'T RUN.

I asked you about whether you running the 32-bit version of Windows 10, or the 64-bit version. Your answer?

What error-messages do you get when you try to run the tool?

I know one thing; this is obscenely hard, for some strange reason; something seems to be cutting me off at the validation level; and why I can't utilize the creation tool. It is a simple action, replace a hard drive, and reinstall the operating system.

Yes, it is a simple process, for 99.99% of the users who try a similar upgrade.

I think for now anyway, I will pass on the petrol platters; and go paperless; for the paid copy of Windows10; if I knew that would work. Twelve bucks is not crazy expensive; if that works? Someone has to pay for the R&D, but will it work? Or will I get the same install tool, to install the software; and it still not work?

What do you think? Will it work?

$12 seems to be a "too-good-to-believe" for a legitimate copy of Windows 10. What did you purchase? Windows 10, with full retail packaging, and one DVD disk containing the Windows Installer?

Or, did you just get a product-key in an E-mail message, along with brief instructions on how to download the software?

If you get a friend to run the Media Creation Tool on their Windows computer, and the tool writes a bootable image onto your 8 GB USB memory-stick, you will be "miles ahead", namely ready to boot from the memory-stick, and to install Windows onto your 4 TB disk-drive.

I am posting what I have got so far. Powershell is a bit above my tech pedigree; however, I am trainable often; am willing to give it a try. So here is what I have done. I downloaded the script on to the desktop, with the button that says Raw script. You can see it above the script behind in the open folder. I managed to open powershell, and trying to execute exact commands here. I used the path C:\tiltmonster\desktop\fido; since that is where it it says it is stored in the folder's properties; but everything else, is exact type I think. I managed to give permission, to suspend script writing; which seems a bit dangerous; but no more dangerous, that not having a working operating system. However, step 3; did not give me the screen I suspected, below; to choose the operating system. These instructions are likely, more for someone who know exactly how to use powershell, run scripts, etc; and has used it before. However, if this leads to a solution, and works; I can take some instructions, step by step. I am not sure if the file I downloaded, is in the proper form up there at top on right, so maybe why powershell did not navigate to it; with the command? When I got to step three; I copied the command line shown in the black box below step three, at top. Did not seem to work.

I tend to believe you on this, and that the other ways are bootleg?

I see nothing "bootleg" in your many long posts,

but you have not indicated whether you purchased a copy of Windows 10 via a retail store, or via the "Microsoft Store", or from some online vendor that supplies, via E-mail, a product-key, and instructions on how to download the Windows 10 installer.

However; why do you suppose, I can't do this on my current computer, running a legit upgrade of Windows 10. What is different about some other computer; than the one I am using here? I can download the "media creation tool" why might it not "RUN" ?

What error-message do you get when you try to run the tool?

In the past, you posted an image, and that image had a clickable link, to "see more details". I asked you to post those details, but you have not yet done so.

I think, if I could just get the tool to work, and download the ISO; I might be good here.

True.

The only time I got an ISO on to the USB, and I tried to boot from it; I don't think the ISO was in a form readable.

When you run the tool, you have 3 options for the download:

1. save the downloaded file as an ISO;
2. "burn" the ISO to one dual-layer DVD disk;
3. reformat the ISO, and write it to an 8 GB (or larger) empty USB memory-stick.

Note that it you saved the ISO to your disk-drive, and copied it as an "ordinary" file to the memory-stick, it will NOT be in the correct layout to be a "bootable" device.

Did you make that mistake?

I did not do the download of the ISO with the "media creation tool" that time, but some way tricking the severs [servers?] to think it is another operating system; so probably bootleg, and who knows what was on the image, I did download.

I disagree with your claim of "probably bootleg".

If is not the usual way of obtaining the ISO directly from Microsoft. A few people have "reverse-engineered" the tool, to see exactly what file is to be downloaded. Any "reverse-engineering" is not allowed, if you click "Accept" when starting to run the Installer.

But if I could get the media creation tool to run on my machine; I may be home free even.

You have said that several times before.

The contributors to this discussion thread have said the same.

Why do you think the tool won't run on my machine;

I think that I need that "show details" output that I asked you to supply.

[My computer] has a nearly updated legit copy of Windows 10, 16 gig of RAM; a good 40 gig of space on the drive left. It has a somewhat never video [newer?] card.

I have successfully run the Media Creation Tool under Windows 7, with a computer that is very inferior to your computer, to obtain the Windows 10 Installer.

There is a single update stuck, seems not to want to download right now; but aside that, and some crashes;

Open Windows Update, and scroll-down to "Update History", and look for any "failed" messages for one of the "KBnnnnn" (Microsoft Knowledge Base) updates. Please post the full text of those 2 or 3 lines.

this current drive I am on now, will be my retired old drive the minute I get the new drive installed with Windows10; works most of the time.............downloads most stuff just fine, runs most stuff.

That is your desired outcome.

Creation tool, should be just copying a large file, to the USB; after some verification.

Yes. But, the layout of the file(s) written to the memory-stick needs to be in a special format, to make it a "bootable" device.

Everything else copies and transfers, eventually anyway.

Do you mean that the file-transfer is slow, or that it fails to complete when reading from your disk-drive, or when writing to some other media/disk-drive? Maybe, your computer does have some problem that is getting in the way.

I just spent about 2 months; getting everything backed manual from this drive. Moving boatloads of files to USB's, and passports.

OK, but that is not related to this discussion thread.

Did you have any difficulties when copying your collection of files/folders ?

This is a program, and a big one; but still just downloading bits, it seems.

As I previously posted, I had no problems running the tool on a "vintage" Windows 7 system. Also, I have had no problems running the tool on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.

I download smaller programs fine, and various other content.

It wasn't perfect, some glitches and crashes;

Please supply more details about those "glitches and crashes".

Maybe, there is something wrong with your computer.

Previously, I have suggested that get a friend to download and run the tool on their Windows-based computer, and loaning your USB memory-stick to the friend, so that the tool can correctly write onto your memory-stick.

but I have downloaded and transferred; boatloads of data last couple month, over a terabyte.

That is good. But, that information does not give any useful information to solve your issue.