Can I install Win10 over a non-booting copy of Win7, to retain the programs installed?

[Windows Central Question]

Can I install Win10 over a non-booting, but legal copy of Win7, to retain the registered programs installed?

The disk does not boot, but the files are accessible. Perhaps booting and installing on the disc from a Win10 ISO? Assume that I have copied the old HD to a new one to negate the problem of a possible/probable bad sector in the boot or recovery areas.

 

[PepperdotNet]

Nope, you need it bootable. Windows can upgrade only when setup us launched from a running Windows. If you boot from the media, you can only clean install.