Windows 10: Question when installing Windows 10 on new SSD

Thanks for all input.
I bought an inexpensive laptop last year. When installing a new blank SSD drive into it....This is what I want to do:

• Find the Win 10 key w magic jelly bean
• copy key onto piece of paper
• Remove original hard drive
• Install new SSD
• Install fresh new copy of Windows 10 via bootable flash drive made via instructions from this Microsoft site >>>> Download Windows 10
• In fact I have already made this Win 10 bootable flash drive
• -
• So I install Windows Ten on SSD this way
• QUESTION- will the laptop's original Windows Ten key work to validate the new Windows Ten installed on the new SSD?

Thanks!

:)

 

Installing Win10 on a new SSD question...

Can I perform a clean install using the Free upgrade?

No, it will require that you are running a previous qualifying version and start the upgrade from within the qualifying version. You can initiate a clean install after completing the Upgrade.

Please be aware that you cannot use the free upgrade offer to perform a clean install on first attempt. You must first upgrade from the qualifying version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 (whether you do
it through Windows Update
or using the .ISO file). Ensure the upgrade is completed successfully and then ensure that it is activated. You can then proceed to do a clean install by using recovery media or using the Reset function in Start > Settings > Update
& Security > Recovery > Reset this PC (Get Started).

 

Installing Win10 on a new SSD question...

I currently have an upgradeable version of windows 7 on my laptop, and the downloads have already begun so I can upgrade to 10.

However, I am buying a new SSD soon, and would rather do a direct install of Windows 10 (to avoid the rewriting from '7' to 10 as the first thing I do with my new drive ). Is there a way to install W10 on the SSD directly, and can you explain how I can go
about this if possible?

Thanks.

 

Short answer is yes. You won't even need any product key at all to activate the same version of Windows 10 it had on that computer before.

 

Assuming your laptop came with Win10 installed already then most likely the key is already part of the firmware and Windows will automatically activate without you needing to input anything.

But you should run ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums just to make sure you actually do have an OEM license for the correct version.

 

Thanks guys. Yes the laptop was bought Nov 2017 and came with Windows Ten installed. By the Windows Ten key being in the firmware you must mean in the BIOS? I was not aware this was done. I will use show key plus to see what Win Ten key I have and copy that onto paper just in case.... Never heard of that program before.

But as you say Windows Ten should just activate itself due to being embedded in the HP laptops firmware.
I rather start fresh and clean than bother cloning the original installed drive onto the new SSD

 

One thing you might want to do before clean installing. Gather up all your hardware drivers and have them ready to go. Most notebooks use proprietary drivers. you should have the latest download and ready to install in case of issues with windows native drivers.

 

Yes, the key is in the BIOS - specifically the MSDM and SLIC ACPI tables.

(Technically "BIOS" no longer exists on modern systems - it's now UEFI, or just firmware to be generic)

 

Windows should look after your drivers. Two more common caveats: a very few people find that when upgrading to a new major build they may have to use an OLDER graphics driver; to get full touchpad functionality (one finger scroll, chiral (circular) scrolling e.g.) you may need an older touchpad driver - these functions seem to be lost for some with later drivers.

Bottom line- only intervene if there's a problem. A 'fix it until it breaks' approach is not recommended.

And remember to use disk imaging routinely - so many advantages when things go wrong- you may not even have to post here! E.g. Macrium Reflect (free).

 

As already mentioned, I would at least get your network (ethernet) drivers before you do a clean install on any PC, especially a laptop, I would never trust the installer to have it.

If it does that`s great, but I`d rather be safe than sorry.

 

I clean installed Win 10 on this laptop bought new with no OS- no driver problems.