Dumb question but where is my windows?!

3t3P · 30 Oct 2017 at 19:31

What I mean is. I originally had a student copy of windows 7 64bit Home premium (I think!) which was a physical CD-ROM.

I then upgraded for free to windows 10.

When I want to format or upgrade/change my PC, how do I now go about this?!

Do I pull the files for windows off my PC before upgrading or use a serial key or what?!

Thanks

mattyg · 30 Oct 2017 at 19:33

I think you can log into your MS account. Make sure its there.

Then whenever you reinstall it checks that and OK's it

Rroff · 30 Oct 2017 at 19:35

You'll need some kind of serial or MS account - you should be able to associate a current installation with a MS Live ID as well and use that to activate a new installation IIRC (might not work if its a student license and already associated with an MS account).

3t3P · 30 Oct 2017 at 19:51

But how do I even put an OS on a formatted/new system?!

Would I install my old win 7 first and go from there?

I miss CDs

TheVoice · 30 Oct 2017 at 19:52

First result on Google is...

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Orcvader · 30 Oct 2017 at 23:58

3t3P said:
But how do I even put an OS on a formatted/new system?!

Would I install my old win 7 first and go from there?

I miss CDs

What I just did was insert my 7 key right during the 10 installation as well as signing in to the same Microsoft account. Activated fine with no issues on a completely new system.