T460 (Topseller) [W7 preload via W10 downgrade rights]: Best way to have 10 as OS?

[Radioguy]

In a nutshell, with a OOTB unconfigured W7 preload, and with a desire to have 10 as the primary (or sole) OS, which is the best option?

Firstly, with a 10 Pro sticker on the bottom, is the recovery partition on this machine for W10 or 7?

Assuming the worst, 7, these are the options I'm assuming would exist to bring it back to 10:

• Upgrade within OS to 10.
• Upgrade at boot with generic MS 10 ISO/USB. (Actually assuming would be unsuccessful not being OEM)
• Upgrade at boot with OEM 10 ISO/USB.
• Recovery via OEM W10 disc set.
• Apply saved image from a W10 configured T460 (or compatible model)

Feel free to pick apart any misconceptions there.

The last two options are preferrable to me, but I'm talking about a US version without the coupon to download or order the set (heard that was only way to obtain it), and I don't have access to another with the W10 preload.

I would assume having the set and using it would be the preferrable standard option. Am I right there?

Speaking of which, are these like the classic sets which still accompany some ThinkCentres with W10? (Spanning a few models/series for compatibility)

Anyhow, looking for specifics here. If the recovery partition is 10, this is kind of moot, but I wanted to cover the possibilities I'm aware of. Thanks for any info.

[RealBlackStuff]

Funny, with W8 they could hardly bother about a COA, but with W10 they restart the whole crap?
Micro$haft will do anything to annoy people...

I suggest you remove that HD/SSD with W7 right now and hang on to it until you are so sick of W10, that you want to [pick your choice...]
Put in another HD/SSD and install W10 from scratch, using either of your last 2 suggestions.
AFAIK any W10 machine is registered with M$, so you should be able to (re)install any matching W10 version anytime.

[micrex22]

I suggest you remove that HD/SSD with W7 right now and hang on to it until you are so sick of W10, that you want to [pick your choice...]

How could anyone get sick of Win 10? Don't tell me you and George aren't playing Candy Crush!

Snarkiness aside... I think having a clone of your Windows 7 is a good idea as well. I'm personally staying on Win 7 for as long as I can until--IF--Microsoft ever tones it down a notch. Who knows.

[Radioguy]

I knew this would happen.

Don't think I drank the 10 kool-aid. I already booted with Acronis and made a backup.

Still, I'd like the same situation as a model shipped with 10 (all correct drivers and 10-specific apps) before I go clean install or back to 7.

So, by not addressing whether the recovery partition is 7 or 10, I should assume it's 7 as that would've been the easiest fix to all?

And, where can I get one of the last two options?

AFAIK any W10 machine is registered with M$, so you should be able to (re)install any matching W10 version anytime.

Both generic M$ ISO and OEM version from Lenovo discs?

[micrex22]

Still, I'd like the same situation as a model shipped with 10 (all correct drivers and 10-specific apps) before I go clean install or back to 7.

Both generic M$ ISO and OEM version from Lenovo discs?

If your ThinkPad is under warranty, phone Lenovo support and ask for the appropriate recovery media (the type of windows you need and whether it needs to be x86 or x64), they'll ship it to you for free.

It's probably best to do this sooner rather than later if you're needing that media for the future.

[RealBlackStuff]

Like I said: any (Home or Pro) W10 that matches their (registered) version.

[Radioguy]

If your ThinkPad is under warranty, phone Lenovo support and ask for the appropriate recovery media (the type of windows you need and whether it needs to be x86 or x64), they'll ship it to you for free.

It's probably best to do this sooner rather than later if you're needing that media for the future.

Well, did that, and I will be receiving a USB drive instead of discs. When asked about what state the T460 would be in after use, they said there will no longer be a recovery partition at all when restored via USB. I'm not crazy about not being able to recover internally. Will there be a way to recover the USB Q drive back to the SSD and edit the ini so that could be restored?