Windows 10: Can I do a clean install now and keep my license ?

Just as the title says.
(It's a 'preview' license)

:)

 

Can I do a clean install now before windows 10?

So I did the free upgrade to windows 10, I have the gadget on my computer waiting for july 29th. Problem is I need to upgrade my motherboard which requires a new install of the OS. So my question is this, since the gadget took my information can I do a clean
install of windows 7 using my key?? Or will it say it is no longer valid? If it works can I then still upgrade to windows 10?

Thanks,

James

 

Can I do a clean install now before windows 10?

Yes, you can. Is the Windows 7 license OEM or Retail store bought? Just make sure Windows 7 is reactivated.

If the Reservation application (Windows 10 app) has a blank screen or does not work or is not available:

Please be aware even if you do not get the Windows 10 app, you can still download Windows 10 as a .ISO file, create a bootable copy and upgrade your system.



How
to: upgrade from previous versions of Windows using Windows 10 ISO file

Backup your computer:

When making significant changes to your computer such as updating the operating system, you should always backup. See links to resources about backing up by clicking the link for the respective version of Windows you are running:
Windows XP,
Windows Vista,
Windows 7,
Windows 8/8.1



Also review:

How
to manually backup and restore your files

How to: 10 Tips before installing the latest Windows 10 build


How to: 10 things to do if Windows 10 Setup fails.



Once you have installed these important updates and followed the prerequisite instructions, you should be ready to receive your
free update to Windows 10 this summer.

 

Have you first upgraded from a legitimate Windows 7 / 8 license? If so, you can. If not, you need to do that first before Microsoft's servers will recognize your PC as being authorized for Windows 10.

 

If it is preview 10240 and it has been activated on that PC..
You can Clean Install and when asked for Key - just choose Skip

 

If you had an activated preview release 10240 - Your PC has already seen an activated Windows 10 Pro version

 

However, the preview key resulted in a license that expired in Jan 2016. Not sure if that was a hard date or a date that was a certain length of time from the date of install.

Running slmgr /xpr in an elevated command prompt will tell you the license expiration date - or permanently activated.

 

Attachment 30589

Yes, my info is correct, if you have an activated Preview Release 10240. MS gave you the Activation of Windows 10.

 

I think so too, but it does no harm to verify with slmgr /xpr

 

I run Windows10 since February, and only did updates so far, but in that time I installed and uninstalled a lot of software, as my SSD is small and can't have them all, so I feel like I want to do a clean install. Now my question is how will I keep my activated license ?

 

Open command prompt (admin) and use the "slmgr /xpr" as stated by NavyLCDR post below

If your the Windows script shows the dialog saying your machine is permanently activated then you are good to go. It'll be similar to script shown by Kyhi below:

 

Yes you can completely wipe the drive and all partitions
Clean install windows 10
when asked for product key - just Skip - do not enter any product keys..
the activation for your PC has already been recorded on the MS server

 

That doesn't really make sense. How can they recognise my PC if it is just like a new one (HDD wiped) ?

 

By the PC Hardware and product ID