Windows 10: New install of Win 10 on older computer?

I was given a laptop that came with Windows 8.1. The owner removed the memory and HDD because they thought computer went bad. I replaced the memory and HDD with some spare parts I had. The HDD had a old installation of Win 10 from when I replaced it with a SSD. The laptop is working good. Now I want to install a clean version of Windows 10. Can I use the Win 8.1 key to activate the Win 10 install?

:)

 

New install of Windows 10 on older PC

Those are both good points - thank you both for your help!

I will check the NX bit this evening. I do not recall seeing that setting, but that does not mean it is not there.

I do have a mouse and keyboard attached via USB.

I built the system in 2006, so perhaps drivers will be an issue. I no longer do games, so I do not need a high-powered computer and was hoping this older one would serve my needs.

 

New install of Windows 10 on older PC

In addition to neilpzz's good advice, perhaps consider this: We don't know how 'old' your old computer is, so how confident are you that you can find Windows 10 drivers for its hardware?

Sometimes old hardware will work with drivers from Windows 7 or 8, but there's no guarantee.

 

Windows 10 installed without a problem and is activated. When I was asked to enter the key I chose I do not have a key. When Windows finished installing it was activated with a digital license.

 

Back in 2015 it may have gone for the free upgrade (or had an over-enthusiastic windows update sneak it in uninvited) then rolled back to Windows 8.1. If so, it would have got a digital licence for 10.

Memory/HDD don't count as far as the hardware ID is concerned, so the licence would still be valid.