Clean W10 install on laptop - Do I need to exatract the key first?

Hades · 3 Dec 2017 at 21:37

I have a laptop with Windows 10. I have a new SSD and would prefer to perform a completely clean reinstall instead of cloning it. I bought the laptop with Windows 10 already installed.

My question: Do I need to extract they key from the current installation (presumably using a tool), or will the new W10 instalation 'phone home' using the motherboard signature to check whether there is a license associated with the laptop?

Thanks.

PiKe · 3 Dec 2017 at 21:42

Just the hardware hash, no key to extract.

Hades · 3 Dec 2017 at 21:59

I assume by that you mean W10 will generate a hardware hash and phone home. Thanks.

The1nonly1 · 3 Dec 2017 at 22:38

When I upgraded my PC (New motherboard, CPU, RAM). I simply reinstalled Windows 10, signed into my live account that is my Windows login and it activated fine.

Hades · 3 Dec 2017 at 22:44

Thanks

demonix · 4 Dec 2017 at 15:12

If it had windows 10 already installed, then it's likely that it has a product key already stored in the BIOS, and when you start the installation process it'll automatically detect the licence key and proceed to start the installation with it activating as long as there's an active connection to the internet.

shankly1985 · 5 Dec 2017 at 13:50

Make sure you sign I to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account it will link the code to that account for ever. Each time you build a new PC or replace hardware a simple sign in again will reactivate the OS.

AHarvey · 5 Dec 2017 at 18:06

yeah just link it to a windows account online and it'll all be saved there

MINUS12 · 6 Dec 2017 at 05:34

I’m about to reinstall Windows 10 on an old Asus Eebook as I can’t reset it due to damn BitLocker , how do I retrieve the licence key before doing that as I can’t acces windows as the stupid seller lost password and I can’t access windows

Orcvader · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:01

MINUS12 said:
I’m about to reinstall Windows 10 on an old Asus Eebook as I can’t reset it due to damn BitLocker , how do I retrieve the licence key before doing that as I can’t acces windows as the stupid seller lost password and I can’t access windows

What was the original operating system? If it started off as 10 then windows will automatically reactivate by itself when connected to the internet. If it's 8 or 8.1 then the key will be within the BIOS, and the 10 installation will pick that key up automatically and use that to reactivate as well as installing the correct version right away. If 7, the key should be on a sticker which you can use to activate 10.

MINUS12 · 6 Dec 2017 at 21:29

Orcvader said:
What was the original operating system? If it started off as 10 then windows will automatically reactivate by itself when connected to the internet. If it's 8 or 8.1 then the key will be within the BIOS, and the 10 installation will pick that key up automatically and use that to reactivate as well as installing the correct version right away. If 7, the key should be on a sticker which you can use to activate 10.

Thanks mate .. It’s windows 8.1 ..I have a copy of Windows 10 so shall I just boot it from the usb stick ?

Orcvader · 6 Dec 2017 at 21:31

MINUS12 said:
Thanks mate .. It’s windows 8.1 ..I have a copy of Windows 10 so shall I just boot it from the usb stick ?

Yup, just boot it and it should do the rest with no problem.