Hi all I received a new ssd drive for Christmas and want to do a clean Windows install, so I can use it primarily for Plex. Its an old Dell xps 8300 i7 2600 Proccesor I am not sure which version of windows 10 to use to have it run efficiently. Any suggestions? Could also use some more advise if anyone has done this. Thx. in advance.
The one you have a license for would be the answer The system should be able to run all sku's from any build, as long as there are drivers for the hardware (generic by WU or by manufacturer).
It is still an amazing system and You can install there what ever Windows 10 version or configuration You want. If You want You can simply add RAM in case if there already not enough, can be add up to 16GB DDR3 1333 MHz (frequency may be also higher). It's good piece, what You have.
Thanks for the reply. Just have a couple more questions about the windows 10 install. I downloaded windows 10 from Microsoft, because I guess it is listed in my bios. Is that a good thing or should I use another one. I have done new installs before but not that way. Thanks again
Why don't you answer my question about what MSFT tool you used? 1809 Home will never run till 2026 anyway. Are all devices OK in device manager?
Because there is no MSFT tool who looks at the bios and downloads a specific SKU for it, the current MCT will just download the latest 1909 (18363.418) Consumer ESD and creates the ISO from it, containing these SKUs: Code: Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Home N Windows 10 Home Single Language Windows 10 Education Windows 10 Education N Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro N Windows 10 won't activate by itself on a system without a MSDM or a previously established HWID for the install SKU (which would be established when upgraded from the factory pre-installed Windows 7 Home Premium).
You have the USB, boot from it and you should be able to install any of the SKUs it offers on setup and when you install Home, it will probably activate by HWID (if you've upgraded from the factory pre-installed Win 7 Home Premium in the past, which i assume from you not having installed any OS in 20 year).
Thanks for all the help will try and install from usb. Just one more question do I need to download all the drivers and other software for anything else. I was told windows 10 has all you need.
So, disconnect the hdd and put in the empty ssd, and go play and find all out, the current install is safe on the hdd.
Don't worry about these drivers, i can't see any reason they can't be found. Dell is one of the best in terms of finding drivers and in terms of drivers compatibility. Sometimes on may be need to look for base system device driver, but just now looked the DELL web, there seems to be possible to find. Generally, if not all, most drivers are found. If have installed then there is time to look for what is missing or needs to be changed. I have currently one very similar Dell here, even the age, BIOS etc are the same, Win 10Pro runs normally, no drivers are missing, haven't had no problems to find them.