Windows 10: Need to do a clean reboot but don't have Windows 10 digital license from free upgrade to...

So... due to some issues caused by a recent Windows Update--that I can't delete / uninstall / roll back using a restore point / etc, I need to do a clean reboot of my hard drive and start over. This in and of itself is infurating enough--and I've already wasted DAYS of my life trying to solve the problem caused by Windows Update--but there is now the added problem that I do not have a Windows 10 activation key--nor the digital license that supposedly came with / enabled the free "upgrade" if you can call a software program that destroys your computer an upgrade from 8.1 to 10.

The laptop is 5 yrs old. So, even if I could find the original box and paperwork it came in--which I probably can't--and it had some sort of activation key for the original / factory Windows 8.1 install--seem like I would probably have to install 8.1 first, use that activation key, then go out and try to activate the Windows 10 update again.


Any ideas?

:)

 

Windows 10 upgrade license

Hello guys,

I have 1 license of WIndows 8.1 FPP/retail license. I want to upgrade to WIndows 10, but I one thing is unclear to me.
If I upgrade, will WIndows 10 license be retail or it will "turn" into some sort of OEM license?

I ask this because I upgrade my PC, you know, more memory, replace HDD, and I intend to upgrade the MB and CPU to Kaby Lake platform sometime in the future, (and of course sell the replaced hardware)
This thing is not clearly mentioned anywhere.

Thank you.

 

Windows 10 upgrade license

The interesting question is that: the upgrade takes place before 29 of July. If I upgrade the PC (change the MB), and I transfer the Win 8.1 license to this new PC (cause 8.1 is retail FPP), will I be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free? Or a upgrade license must be bought?

 

Activate windows 10 after a clean install through digital license.

Windows 10 Digital License

When you upgraded from a previous version of Windows or receive a new computer preinstalled with Windows 10, what happened is the hardware (your PC) will get a digital entitlement, where a unique signature of the computer will be stored on Microsoft
Activation Servers. The Windows 7 or Windows 8 genuine license you were previously running will be exchanged for a diagnostics key.

Anytime you need to reinstall Windows 10 on that machine, just proceed to reinstall Windows 10. It will automatically reactivate. You will prompted to enter a product key a couple times through the installation, click I don't have
a key and Do this later.

There is no need to know or get a new key, but if you have issues with Digital Licensing or the Activation Troubleshooter, you can utilize an existing Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key you already own to
reactivate if necessary. or use the reset function in Windows 10.

Activate Your Windows 10 License via Microsoft Chat Support

Reinstall by Performing a Direct Clean Install

If Windows 10 was already installed and activated on your system, just proceed to perform a direct clean install as described in the following articles.

Step 1: How
to download official Windows 10 ISO files

Step 2:

• How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10