Beginning with Windows Installer 2.0 installation developers can write installation packages that target 64-bit platforms. At first only IA64 was supported but support for AMD64 — now collectively referred to along with EM64T as x64 — was added in Windows Installer 3.0. Addresses compatibility issue with Intel® Bluetooth and Microsoft Windows. updates released after. There is a problem with this Windows Installer Package.
The Windows 10 upgrade process has caused problems for some people. Upgrading from one version of Windows to another is rarely a great idea. Files left behind by the previous operation system often cause problems, as can changes made to those files by other applications.
That’s why the usual advice for installing a new version of Windows is to perform a ‘clean’ install. Reformatting your hard drive before you install Windows gives a ‘factory fresh’ PC — you just need to reinstall your applications and copy back your documents to get you up and running again.
There’s a big problem when doing this with Windows 10, though. First, anyone upgrading from Windows 7 or 8 won’t have a Windows 10 install disc — the upgrade comes via a download. Second, the Windows 10 upgrade doesn’t provide a product key, so there’s no way to activate it after a clean install. Fortunately, there is a way around this.
Where’s my Windows 10 product key?
As long as you qualify for the free Windows 10 upgrade, it should activate automatically once you’ve installed the upgrade. A product key will then be generated for your PC and stored by Microsoft.
You won’t see this product key, but it’s tied to your PC hardware. So once your upgrade version of Windows 10 is installed and activated, you can wipe your PC and reinstall the operating system from scratch. Since the hardware hasn’t changed since the last activation, Windows 10 should then activate successfully again.
Before you start!
Back up any documents on the drive you’re going to be using for Windows 10 (usually the C: drive) before attempting this. Also make sure you have any necessary serial numbers for applications you need to reinstall afterwards.
It’s also worth downloading any drivers you may need for Windows 10 before you begin. This is very important for your PC’s network or wi-fi adapter, which may not work with Windows 10’s own driver after a clean install.
1. Upgrade to Windows 10
You can’t perform a clean installation of Windows 10 until you’ve performed an upgrade installation and activated the operating system. This done, confirm that Windows 10 has been activated by going to Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation.
Look in the right of the window and you should see Activation: Windows is activated. If you don’t see this, you must not proceed and you’ll need to wait until Windows 10 activates.
2. Confirm your version of Windows
You’ll also need to know which version of Windows 10 you’re using so that you can download the same version. You’ll see the edition of Window 10 you have in the window opened in Step 1 — Windows 10 Pro, in our example.
Next, search 'System' and choose the first option to see whether you’re using the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
3. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool
The Windows 10 download is around 2.5GB and will need to be copied to a blank DVD or a USB flash drive for the installation, so make sure you have something suitable to hand for this.
Go to www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10 and click Download tool now.
This just downloads a small setup tool that will download the required Windows 10 setup files later.
4. Run the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool
When the download has finished, plug in your USB flash drive or insert a blank DVD in your PC’s DVD drive. Find the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to run it.
When the Windows 10 Setup window appears, select the Create installation media for another PC option and click the Next button.
5. Choose your Windows 10 version
On the next screen, choose the Language, Edition and Architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) to match your current version of Windows 10. Don’t select one of the N editions — these lack Windows Media Player. Click Next to continue.
6. Choose a storage device and start the download
Select the device you’re going to use for the Windows 10 installation — USB flash drive or an ISO file for burning to DVD. Click Next.
Select the USB flash drive, or a folder on your PC, to store the Windows 10 setup files. Click Next and the 4GB download will begin.
If you created a DVD ISO file, you’ll now need to burn the file to a DVD before you can use it to boot your PC. Else you can boot using the USB flash drive.
7. Begin the Windows 10 installation
After you boot your PC using the Windows 10 DVD or USB flash drive, choose the Install now option and then Skip the request for a product key to activate Windows. As long as you’ve already upgraded this PC to Windows 10, you won’t need a product key.
8. Perform a custom install
When prompted, choose the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option. This will erase everything on your existing Windows 10 drive (usually C:), so be sure you’ve backed up everything you want to keep before going any further.
9. Choose where to install
Select the hard drive partition you want to install Windows 10 on. This should already be labelled as Windows 7, 8 or 10, but it should also be the largest partition in the list. If you’re not sure which partition to use, seek help before going any further.
If you’re happy to continue, click the Format option and click OK on the warning dialog box that appears. When the drive format is complete, click Next.
10. Complete the set up
The Windows 10 installation will now start. When it’s almost complete, you’ll be asked for a product key again, so click the Do this later option at the bottom of the screen and finish the rest of the set up.
11. Confirm that Windows 10 has activated
Once Windows 10 is installed, repeat Step 1 to check that it has been activated — you may need to click the Activate button. You may also need to install the necessary drivers for your PC’s network or Wi-Fi adapter first, since activation requires internet access.
If activation won’t complete successfully, you’ll need to contact Microsoft, explain what’s happened and ask for an activation code. This is inconvenient, but should be straightforward as long as your previous Windows 10 installation was activated.
Installing security software for your software on your home PC is just as essential as plugging in a keyboard, mouse or monitor.
Keeping your computer safe from viruses, malware and potential intrusion is an absolute must, but some anti-virus tools cost a pretty penny and require expensive renewals every year. Thankfully, as a BT Broadband customer you’re entitled to free protection from BT Virus Protect as part of your BT Extras.
BT Virus Protect is just one of the ways you can fortify you home and keep your family safe online if you are a BT Broadband customer. Keep your children safe online with BT Parental Controls and protect your files and photos with BT Cloud.Even on our lowest broadband packages our security portfolio is worth over £100 a year.* Find out more
Why do I need security software?
Running a PC without security software is the computing equivalent of driving without a seatbelt. While bad things might not happen, the consequences of them happening without protection don’t bear thinking about.
PC viruses can hinder your computer’s performance at best, or render it utterly unusable and cause catastrophic failure at worst. If malware and spyware sits undetected on your computer, malicious parties can harvest your personal information like logins, passwords, usernames and account details.
Security software also protects your online activities, helping you steer clear of insecure websites and protecting children from unsavoury content.
What is BT Virus Protect?
This is BT’s free software built in conjunction with McAfee, one of the world’s leading dedicated security software makers, offered free of charge to all BT customers. It is available to download for PC or Mac computers.
What does Virus Protect do?
The BT Virus Protect software offers several essential features, which will safeguard your computers, web activity and personal information. Here are some of the best features:
Virus Scan: This element will perform regular scans of your computer’s hard drive for the latest security threats, including viruses, Trojans, tracking cookies, spyware, adware, and other unwanted programs. It runs in the background and will alert you when a threat has been detected. As well as your hard drive, Virus Scan looks for threats to your email, chat and personal files from the internet.
Personal Firewall: A firewall helps keeping unwanted intruders like hackers away from your activity. Say hello to worry-free web browsing.
Parental Controls: If you have minors in the house, parental controls are a must for protecting young eyes from adult content. You can block access to particular websites or even block based on keywords.
Site Advisor: This helpful feature will inform you if a website you’re trying to visit contains dangerous content like spyware, malware, spam or online scams known as ‘phishing.’
The rest: The security software also checks the health of your discs and helps you find and delete space-sapping duplicate files. The neat Stealth Mode can hide your presence on the internet, meaning would-be hackers have no idea you’re even there. It’ll also scan for software updates so you’ll always know when the latest versions of your favourite apps and operating system is available.
Why should I download it?
Well, there’s really no reason for you not to download BT Virus Protect. It is free for broadband customers and it is an unobtrusive solution that aids the health of your computer without getting in the way of your daily activity.
It updates continually and automatically, so you know your computer will always be protected against the latest and most sophisticated attacks. It’s always better to be safe than sorry… especially when it’s free.
Who can get BT Virus Protect?
Virus Protect is free to all BT Broadband customers. Depending on your package you can install it on 2 or 15 machines, or upgrade to a 15-licence for £4 a monthwith the first month free. We offer more free AntiVirus licenses (15), for the entirety of your broadband contract than any other major UK broadband provider.
What are my system requirements on a PC?
To be able to install BT Virus Protect on a Windows PC, you’ll need to meet these minimum requirements:
Software: Windows XP (32-bit only) with Service Pack 3 (SP3) or higher, Windows Vista (32 and 64-bit) with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit) or Windows 8 and 8.1 (32 and 64-bit), Windows 10 (32 and 64-bit).
Hardware: The PC will need to boast at least a 1 GHz processor, 2GB RAM (512MB for Windows XP machines), 500MB of free hard drive space an active internet account.
Compatible web browsers: Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox version 4.0 or higher and Google Chrome.
What are my system requirements on a Mac?
It’s a little more straightforward for Mac users. Here are the requirements:
Software: The Mac needs to be running Mac OS X 10.12 or higher.
Hardware: Apple Computer with Intel Processor, 2 GB RAM or more, 300 MB of available free drive space and an active internet connection.
Compatible web browsers: Safari version 5.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox version 12.0 or higher. However, the Site Advisor feature is only currently supported by Firefox.
How do I get BT Virus Protect?
To install this security software on your computer you’ll need to login in to your BT account at the My BT website. From there you’ll need to take the following steps:
1: Scroll down to the Use your extras, at no extra cost - Manage your extras.
2: Click 'Get Started' from the BT Virus Protect panel
3: Once activated you’ll be invited to download and install the software.
4: Download the software and follow the install instructions.
5: Notice the McAfee icon in your system tray and rest assured with the knowledge your PC is now being protected.
*Based on 5x McAfee True Key licenses and BT Virus Protect