Windows 10: Reinstalling Windows 10 after July 31, 2016

My son bought a computer with Windows 7 a few months ago then upgraded to the free Windows 10. His computer got a virus and he has reinstalled Windows 8 because we had a system disc for another computer - his computer did not come with a system disc and he did not make a back up when he bought it. He would like to put Windows 10 back on it but the upgrade is no longer free. Is there a way to do so without having to pay for the upgrade?

:)

 

Reinstall Windows 10 after July 2016

I thought I read on Microsoft when upgrading from Windows 7/8 we would receive a activation key, (perhaps within the media creation tool files)? Seriously I think we should!

 

Reinstall Windows 10 after July 2016

If i need to change hdd? Will recovery work too?

 

Have you tried upgrading to Windows 10 ? If the laptop had a valid installation of Windows 10, then you should be able to install it again as the product key is tied to the hardware that was used while upgrading, as long as it is the same laptop, it should work, unless I am mistaken.

 

If Win10 was activated, then you can just do a Clean Win10 install. The activation information is already stored on MS activation servers. You don't have a Win10 key, so just skip or next through any screens that ask for a key.

Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

Everything you need to know should be in the tutorial - including how to get Win10 install media.
Read teh tutorial to become familiar with what you need to do and ask questions.

Back up any personal data (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos ...)