Fresh install of Windows 10, on a machine upgraded from Windows 8.1 -> 10? (Don't have Windows 10 ke

[NeilF]

So my son's laptop hard drive is dying I believe.

What I'd like to do it simply pop in an SSD in its place and then do a fresh install of Windows 10.

The laptop came with Windows 8.1 and was upgrade to 10 at Christmas. However, stupidly I didn't make a note of its Windows 10 (upgrade) key. My bad!



Am I right in saying:-
- I can just download a Windows 10 installation (USB or ISO)
- Do a fresh Windows 10 installation onto the laptop (onto the new SSD)
- No activition key will be required, as Microsoft will recognise the laptop and know know it's registered

Thanks...

 

[NeilF]

You are correct.

Phew! That's a relief!

Thanks!

 

[NeilF]

Yep, just use the old key.

Hmmm... I'll have to dig through boxes to find it I think!?

I'll swear I read Microsoft know your laptop has already been upgraded to Windows 10, so you can just "skip" the entry of the Windows 10 key, and it'll just work!?

 

[NeilF]

Yep... It seems to be working simply choosing "SKIP"

That said, a number of times after the initial install of Windows 10 on the new SSD, it hanged during boot up (with spinning dots just locked). And I had to turn off and try...

Seems OK now though!