Windows 10: If I reformat my Windows, do I need the key when it first start again?

I'm looking to reformat my Windows because I'm gonna change my CPU (Intel SB -> AMD Mantissa) and also because there is wayyy too much junks that I have accumulated over the years that I don't know what's inside it anymore..

I'm looking at this: https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/reset-windows-10-pc , at step (7), if I "Remove files and clean the drive", will I be asked for the Windows key when I sign in the first time? Will I ever be asked for the Windows key if I ever reformat, no matter which option I take?

I'm worried because I don't know my Windows key, I think I got this copy when Microsoft was giving away Windows for free back when Win10 came out though I can't be sure, it has been too long. What I am sure of is : I don't know my Windows key.

submitted by /u/redfournine
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:)

 

Recover or Reformat?

The reformat won't budge?

I did what you said and then was told to remove the CD from the CD-Rom Drive, put in the recovery CD and then press the 'OK' button to continue

So I changed to the next disk but the OK doesn't appear to be being 'pressed'. Yes I have pushed enter on the keyboard which is what I have been using to get me through the other steps..

Any suggestions?

 

Reformatting your computer

Wrote a tutorial on reformatting your hard drive, hope you like it!

Backing up your computer

The usual files we back up are document files (word, excel, power point, porn, game save files, pictures, movies, music ect.) the easiest way of backing up it just to find what your looking for a copying it to a external device such as












There are a lot of program that can do this as well. Nero, Norton 10 ghost backup and recovery, Driver genius (to pull existing drivers off)



Reformatting your computer

Before you even start to put your cd/dvd in make sure you get the drivers from the manufacture of your device(s)
example.

On my system i only need the following sites.

Motherboard drivers (sound, chip sets and system utilities) ASUS USA
Video card http://www.nvidia.com (8800gts)
Sound card drivers
Step 1

Insert you windows disc into you CD/DVD drive. Restart your computer

Step 2

Press DEL to enter into your bios (or which ever button it is to enter your bios, typically it’s delete), Navigate in your bios to the selection were it ask which device you would like to boot from. Typical order is HDD/CD/Floppy select which drive you would like to boot from. In this case your CD/DVD drive containing your disc. Save your bios settings and exit.

Step 3

Press any key to boot from disc, hit a key, Allow the setup to proceed through the blue screens. When prompted hit F8.

Step 4

It will scan for previous installations of windows, if you would like to repair windows it will keep all information on the drive, select the previous installed version of windows and hit enter. To wipe the drive clean and start over hit esc, D, and then L, you will be prompted on the screen.

Step 5

After you have erased your partition which contained your windows installation select the un partitioned space and hit the C key. Format in the NTFS file system

Step 6

Wait

Step 7

After it’s done partitioning the hard drive, you will go through the setup of windows, read the onscreen instruction to reinstall windows.

Step 8

Finish your installation!


Congratulations you just reformatted your computer and didn’t have to over pay best buy or circuit city for something so easily done

If you think something needs changed, please feel free to comment on it and let me know!

Recovery

Getdataback

best program to use. Simple easy.

 

Microsoft Windows Error.

So to start, i just go into control panel to reformat? Or can i just do it straight from Windows?

Basically what steps do i need to do it?