Can Windows 10 be installed on XP if Windows 7 isn't installed yet?

ceg wrote on 08/18/2015 11:38 PM:
Can Windows 10 be installed on XP if Windows 7 isn't installed yet?

No


I have a Windows 7 retail box and license but I currently
do NOT have Windows 7 installed - can I still update the
WinXP laptop to Windows 10 using that Windows 7 box license?


No

The laptop that had Windows 7 on it long ago was relegated
to the dustbin, so, at the moment, there are no computers
that are using the Windows 7 license (which was installed
once prior on a different laptop).

Not relevant, the qualifying o/s to take advantage of the free
Win7Sp1/8.1 upgrade must be running **and** the upgrade from within that
qualifying o/s (via Windows Update or Win10 media)


Given that the Windows 7 is a legitimate "retail" version,
but, that it's not currently installed on any machine, is
it possible to upgrade a WinXP to Win10 using that retail
box license?

No


Or, do I have to first install Windows 7 on the XP laptop,
and then update that laptop to Windows 10?

Yes


--
...winston
msft mvp windows experience

Op Wed, 19 Aug 2015 01:16:09 -0400 schreef . . .winston:

ceg wrote on 08/18/2015 11:38 PM:

Or, do I have to first install Windows 7 on the XP laptop,
and then update that laptop to Windows 10?

Yes

First install Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 or
Windows 10 won't activate.

PauL wrote on 08/19/2015 2:17 PM:
Op Wed, 19 Aug 2015 01:16:09 -0400 schreef . . .winston:

ceg wrote on 08/18/2015 11:38 PM:

Or, do I have to first install Windows 7 on the XP laptop,
and then update that laptop to Windows 10?

Yes

First install Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 or
Windows 10 won't activate.


The MCT created media (unlike Windows Update/GWX route) supports Windows
7 RTM, 7Sp1, 8.0 and 8.1 as qualifying operating systems to upgrade to
Win10.
- the media must be run from within the qualifying o/s

When using the MCT created media
For Win 7 - Sp1 is not required
For Win 8.0 - 8.1 Update is not required



--
...winston
msft mvp windows experience