Windows 10: How do I see my product key?

Nope.

 

Well, that's what ended up on my computer when I downloaded Windows 10. What would I have to do to make it work if I wanted to do a clean install in the future? Also, is there a way to download Windows 10 any differently than I did in order to make it download in a way that I could use it to make a clean install?

 

Posts #14 and #33 gave you USB flash drive solutions. Post #38 gave you the DVD solution.

 

Regarding the DVD solution, I was asking how transferring the ISO file from the DVD back to the computer and then back onto another DVD would make a difference. Nobody answered that question.

 

Just copy it from the DVD to a location on your hard drive. Your download folder is as good as any.

From post#38:

The key is you must select Burn Disc Image. Don't pick Send to then your DVD drive.

 

I understand how to do it, but I would just like to understand how transferring the ISO file from the DVD back to the computer and then from the computer back to a DVD will change what the file is and make it work any differently. Could you please explain what would be different about the ISO file? Thank you.

 

You don't put the iso file on the DVD. The iso file is a compressed file that contains multiple files and folders. When it's burned to DVD with a program that understand this, you end up with the file/folder structure NavyLCDR shows in post #36. You don't see just the iso file.

Does that make sense?

 

Yes, that makes sense. So what program should I be using that understands as you say, and opens up the ISO file into the multiple files and folders? It sounds like simply copying the ISO file to the hard drive and then back to a DVD would not open up the files and folders. Is there another program that I need to make sure it opens up the file this way?

EDIT: I'd like to update you on what I just did. I put the Win10 .iso DVD in my DVD drive and then clicked on the drive letter "D" where it says, "esd-iso". It also shows "0 bytes free of 3.04GB UDF" It then asked for my permission to make changes to my computer. It claims that it's Microsoft asking for the permission. I click "yes" and then it started doing things. First, a blue window in the middle of the screen that simply said, "Windows". Then it started showing a Progress %. I didn't know what to think of it, but decided I better end the process. Was it trying to reinstall Windows??? I didn't ask it to do that. All I was trying to do was find out what the contents were on the DVD. Well, when the progress was at 20%, I ejected the DVD. Then my computer froze and I couldn't do anything. So I hit the power button to cut the power and did a reboot. Now everything seems to be ok.

At one point, I saw the DVD contents and it showed multiple files and folders instead of a single .iso file. It didn't look like that when I created the disk originally. But I guess it's what I need now, right?

Was it trying to reinstall Windows when I clicked on the disk drive? Is it possible that my computer now has some OS files missing? I stopped it at 20% because I was afraid it was deleting everything on my hard drive and replacing it with a clean install. I'm certainly not ready to be doing that. This computer is just 3 weeks old and running fine, and I'm hoping I didn't just screw it up!

 

No idea what happened as you never post a screen shot of what the contents of the DVD are.
Please post a screen capture of the contents of the DVD being viewed in File Explorer or This

And yes, it sounds like it definitely started an install but most likely it was just doing the setup portion where it copies stuff to a staging area and has not actually start the install so you are almost certainly okay.

 

I'd post a screenshot if I knew how to view the contents of the DVD without actually allowing the install process to start. Clicking the drive letter is what made it start. Usually, doing that simply opens up the contents of the DVD to be viewed. In this case, it actually started the install process. Is there a way to open it without starting it? If I knew how, I'd post a screenshot. I saw it briefly before, but I don't remember how I did it. It did resemble what was posted in post #36.

Here's a view of what it looks like in the "My PC" screen. Click it to see it bigger.

EDIT: I figured it out! I right-clicked the drive and then selected "open in new window". Now you can see the contents. So, what do you think? Am I all ready in case my computer's hard drive poops out on me? I already made a Recovery Drive as well.

 

The DVD is fine. That is what you need to re-install Windows 10 again.

 

Thank you for your help! I've been working on this for the past 3 weeks and now I feel like I can finally use my computer. I just wanted to make sure I'd be able to restore it if it ever failed. Looks like I'm all set! Thanks again!

 

I hate to rock the boat now that you have it stable *Smile but the best way to recover from a serious problem is via disk imaging to an external hard drive using a program like Macrium Reflect Free or Pro.

This makes a bit for bit copy of your drives/partitions to an external USB hard drive. Keep it current when you make changes then recovery is 20 minutes away, just restore the image and you're ready to go. It has the added advantage of backing up the operating system, all drivers and your data so you lose nothing.

Just sayin ...

 

*Ditto Once it's stable, back it up. Regularly. Macrium is the "Go To" solution....IMO

 

I know that what you're saying is probably the simplest solution (as I've been told numerous times), but I just couldn't justify spending over $50 on an external hard drive and possibly also an external power supply for it just to back up the OS. Backing up the OS is all I really wanted to do in case of a hard drive failure. Programs I download and use are very few--maybe a dozen, and can be re-downloaded again within an hour. Personal files are already backed up elsewhere. It's just the OS I wanted to back up, which is why I originally was going to do it on flash drive (same one as the Recovery Drive, if possible), or just use the Win10 .iso on a DVD, which I already have.