Updateing to Win 10

[Stockyjh]

Can I update a system with Win 7 Pro that is not activated with a purchased copy of new Windows 10 Home without doing a format and clean install.
Thanks

 

[davidhk129]

If you have purchased a genuine copy of Win 10 Home, you can install it in your computer provided it has necessary system requirements.
What you currently have in the computer is irrelevant because you will be doing a clean install with a new OS, namely your genuine Win 10 Home, and with a genuine product key.

Processor:

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC

• RAM:
  
  1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit

• Hard disk space:
  
  16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS

• Graphics card:
  
  DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver

• Display:
  
  800x600

 

[Trouble]

without doing a format and clean install.

If the underlying software / Operating System is not "Genuine" then you may experience or inherit some issues performing the in place upgrade, even from a legitimately licensed product key.

I would say give it a go and see what happens.
Entering the proper product key from your purchase when prompted.

I would of course, first perform a full disk image to protect any critical data in advance, but I would do that automatically whatever the circumstances.