Windows 10 New Install

[mediaman]

Hi,

I currently have windows 10 on my pc upgraded from a windows 8 install. I have just purchased a new SSD and want to do a fresh install of windows. Do I have to install windows 8 on it first or can I use my windows 8 activation key to activate a fresh install of windows 10 on a clean hard drive?

Lastly... I have 2 windows 8 activation keys because I also purchased windows 8 which is still running on my htpc too. I don't know which activation key is activated on which pc. Is there any way to find out in the registry anywhere what activation key is running on which pc/htpc?

Thanks.

 

[ED209]

you dont need to install W8 again.

Make sure Windows 10 is activated.

download the windows 10 tool and create a bootable USB stick or DVD, link below. Skip the stages where it asks for a product key during install

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

disconnect any HDDs or other SSDs that you are not installing W10 on too.

connect the new SSD up and boot from either USB stick or DVD, Windows 10 activates from hardware ID rather than key so once its online W10 will activate.

on the htpc try and find a program that can get the product key from the PC and then you should be able to find out which key its using.

doing a quick google should give you a list of free programs

 

[kayomani]

When you do the upgrade you don't get a windows 10 product key so those recovery programs will not give you a valid key.

When you go online it'll automatically activate, failing that just try one of the keys as it'll accept windows 8 keys now on the latest build.

 

[mediaman]

Thanks gents.