Windows 10: how can I reinstall my system without losing my windows license?

I'm thinking about buying a SSD to have a faster machine but I don't know how can I reinstall the system without losing my license. Can anyone help me?

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:)

 

Reinstall Windows?

You don't need to reinstall windows. Go to the device manager and remove uninstall the processor and motherboard drivers listed. When you start the system back up you should be able to re-install the new ones. I just changed my mobo/processor Friday, everything is fine.

BTW I have seen some reviews that state practically no difference in using more than 2gb of ram.

 

Reinstall windows 10 without losing data

Hi Chris,

It is important to know what was the result of running chkdsk, as this will help us determine if this is a possible hard drive failure. Can you tell us what was the result of chkdsk?

However, if the result did not find any errors, then you can check for corruption in the system files that is preventing your computer from booting up. We suggest that you run the System File Checker tool to address this. Use the installation media to run
the tool.

• Connect the installation media to your computer and then turn it on.
• On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select Next. If you're not seeing the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer's website for info on how
  to change your PC's boot order, and then try again.
• Select Repair your computer. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Command prompt.
  
• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  
  
• Once done, restart the computer.

If still your computer is unable to boot up, then we recommend you refresh your PC. You're not going to lose any files as long as you choose this option. However, we cannot guarantee that you're not going to lose any programs. To do this , follow these steps:

• Connect the installation media to your computer and then turn it on.
• Select Repair your computer. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot >Refresh your PC.

Let us know how it goes after performing the suggested steps.

 

Wìndows 10 full format without losing license

Unless you change to new hardware (motherboard), you should not need to do anything. You should be able to clean/reformat your harddisks and reinstall without an explicit windows 10 key (leave the windows key field empty during the install).

To be safe, I would recommend that you link your windows 10 product key with a Microsoft account. This should allow you to login with that account to re-verify your Windows 10, even if you have new hardware.

Step 1. Make sure you are using a Microsoft account:

Keep in mind that if you did not already have a Microsoft account, that your new login information will change to the email address/password associated with the Microsoft account.

1. Open "Settings"
   
2. Select "Accounts"
   
3. Select "Your info"
   
4. Select "Sign in with your Microsoft account instead" link.
   
5. Fill the information required
   
6. "Sign in" and follow the remaining instructions.
   

The next step is to verify that your microsoft account is associated with the windows key.

1. Once again, open "Settings".
   
2. Select "Update & security".
   
3. Select "Activation" on the left bar.
   

If everything is good, it should say next to Activation: "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account".

When you now reformat your machine, simply login with your Microsoft account.

Step 2. Hardware Change

As the others have mentioned, if you have changed motherboard you would lose the "windows key" associated with it. That is why you will need to notify Microsoft about "Hardware change".

1. Select "Settings"
   
2. Select "Update & security"
   
3. Select "Activation" on the left side.
   
4. Select "Troubleshoot". It should say something about it failing to be activated on your device.
   
5. Select "I changed hardware on this device recently".
   
6. Login with your Microsoft account (if you haven't already).
   
7. Select the device you are using now, and select Activate
   

Sidenote: I have recently changed my own hardware (motherboard, CPU, GPU), and followed the steps above in order to keep using my same Windows 10 key.
If for some reasons you had to take additional steps; please comment and let me know so I can update the step-by-step answer