Windows 10: Building a new PC. Can I download Win 10 Pro again?

I know the title seems vague, but here is the scoop. A few years ago I had to purchase a new SSD for my C:\ drive. I also purchased a copy of Windows 10 Pro, but did not need to. I just downloaded it from Microsoft. That being said, it is time for me to build a new PC. My current PC will be given to a relative. I will pull off everything I need, then do a factory restore on the C:\ drive of the current PC. Here is where I need direction. Do I once again download Windows 10 Pro from Microsoft and install on my new build, or do I get the chance to use the Win 10 that I purchased from Best Buy? Someone on another forum suggested that I just take my old c:\ drive and put it in my new build. I thought that was a good idea then realized that all of the hardware is different and would confuse the OS. Any suggestions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

:)

 

Install Win 10 Pro as dual boot currently have Win 7 Pro

Install Win 10 Pro as dual boot currently have Win 7 Pro

Can do Partitioning during install or better do from Win 7 Pro disk manager?

New self build PC or install Win 10 PRo as dual boot

I will build a PC myself, i already have SSD so

Partitioning or erase/format NTFS can be done during install[Win 10 Pro]? I want delete all data in ssd when adapt to new build...

Installing Win 10 Pro from usb flash drive is better than using an external usb 3 dvd writer & dvd with Win 10 Pro? the latter should boot from dvd... if set boot from usb? better use usb 2 or usb 3?

 

Windows 10 clean install using windows 7 pro? read for better details.

I was running Win 7 Pro on my pc, and I upgraded it to Win 10 pro.

I am now building a new custom computer to replace my old one and I want to do a clean install of Win 10 Pro on it.

How can I do this?

I have heard once you upgrade your Win 7 Pro there is a Win 10 Pro key that is generated that can be used to do this?

If that's the case do I use my old win 7 pro key or a different key that I can find on my pc? (using a burned CD or USB for a clean install)

Will I have no choice but to buy Win 10 Pro, or install Win 7 Pro and wait for it to upgrade? I really don't want to do this.

Also, is Win 10 Pro N the same as normal Win 10 just missing the media pack? As in it can be used to do everything and works the same as the normal win 10 once the media package is installed?

 

Hi,
You can use the media creation tool put the iso on a flash drive or dvd,
Download Windows 10 ISO File Windows 10 Tutorials

 

So, I don't need to buy a copy of windows anymore? I guess it's not like the days of Windows XP or 7, where a product key was necessary to prevent pirating? If that is the case, then the PC I am giving to a relative will be registered in their name once they start it up and go through the activation process? What am I supposed to do with the copy of Windows that I spent a lot of money on? Right now it is just a lightweight paperweight collecting dust. It may never see a PC. How sad...

 

It's not entirely clear if you used the key from the Win 10 Pro you purchased to activate the old PC. If you didn't use it then you can use it on the new build.

Yes, download from Microsoft again (you want to install the latest version, not the one you bought two years ago). When you run Setup choose Pro as the edition to install. The key you bought two years ago is valid for Windows 10 Pro, it's not tied to a particular version number - it's as valid for the latest 1709 as it was two years ago for the version 1511 (probably) that you bought.

No, you still need a key, but it seems you have an unused one to hand. Without a key Windows 10 will run, but it will not be activated and will have minor restrictions (can't set desktop wallpaper, for example). It is a violation of the EULA to use an unactivated copy but it won't expire. You'll just keep being nagged until you buy a key.

If you bought a Retail key and did use the key on the old PC, but have now removed Windows 10 and 'factory reset' it to an earlier Windows then it is theoretically possible to transfer the key to a new machine. You may need to phone Microsoft support to get it activated though.

 

I upgraded from my old Asus M32BC PC, and since i bought Pro edition of Windows 10 in June 2016, i spoke to MS via Chat support and successfully got it transferred from old system to my newer Windows 10 Pro based Intel I7 PC, legally done i think, they eventually gave me a new key as it kept activating Home when i upgraded to 1709 when it came out, 3 more hours on chat with MS, finally they entered the new key remotely, and been fine since.

Old system not used much lately, but Home edition does work on it (guess legal) not sure lol, mostly off lately as eventually might give that system away to family

 

Windows 10 is surprisingly good at sorting out the drivers when you do something like that. Activation will be a problem though, the new hardware won't match any record on the MS activation servers so Window will not be activated, not without a valid key.

A clean install is probably the easier route.

 

Thanks, Bree, for clearing that up. My other concern is for the one receiving my old PC. After I restore it to factory, will they have to put in a product key? I don't remember ever putting one in when I up graded to Windows 10 a long time ago. If they do, I guess they could do like AMDMan2016 and chat with MS support. Again, thanks!

 

What version of Windows is the factory reset?

An OEM factory reset works differently for 7 or 8.

On an OEM Windows 7 PC supplied with Windows pre-installed there is an SLP code embedded in the bios firmware that activates the restored OEM system image automatically. It's not a key as such, but it is proof of the machine being licensed to run Win7.

For Windows 8/8.1 machines there is a full product key embedded in the firmware. This activates the system after the reset.

In fact, if you clean installed Windows 10 on a PC built for and supplied with Windows 8/8.1 then Setup reads this embedded key to determine which edition to install and treats this as an upgrade of a qualifying version of Windows. This may explain why you didn't need to use your key, the PC qualified for a license in its own right.

 

That makes sense. Being so long ago, I think I originally was running win 7 pro, then possibly upgraded to a beta win 8 (?), then upgraded to windows 10, if that makes sense. Like I said it was a while ago. I will play it by ear and see what windows wants to do.

 

Well, an upgrade of a licensed Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 would have given that PC a digital license tied to its unique hardware ID and store on the Microsoft activation servers. It would have its own license for Windows 10. Before you decommission it, check its activation, it would say 'activated with a digital license...'.

If so, you could probably do a clean install of 10 before passing it on. The unused key you bought would be free to use on the new build.

 

Great! I will do that.