Windows 10: Replacing a bad SSD and Windows 10 activation

So I've had a problem with random blue screens and narrowed it down to the SSD as it has many bad blocks. Kingston approved of an RMA so I'm going to do that. How does Windows 10 activation work if I replaced the drive and have to either reinstall windows or port a backup on to it? I initially had Windows 7 and upgrade to 10. I have a UEFI motherboard too as well. Thanks for any help.

:)

 

Resetting Windows 10

It is a digital activation. If it is activated now, it will remain activated even if you were to remove the hard drive, replace it with an SSD and download the WIndows 10 ISO image, make bootable media and install Windows 10 from scratch on the new SSD.

 

Hard Drive Errors - Need to Do a System Restore/Reset - Or New HD?

I didn't understand the situation was that bad. So the decision to replace the HD has been pretty much made for you.

Yes, MS has setup windows 10 so that when you activate it the first time, MS keeps a "signature" of your computer on their systems. When you re-install Windows 10, MS is able to recognize your computer and automate the activation. It allows for changes like
new HD/SSD, more RAM etc. The one thing that is not allowed is replacing the motherboard.

 

Activation is no problem either way if you replace the SSD. However, it'll be good if you start it with fresh install to eliminate all the remnants from Windows 7.

 

I believe I did a clean install when I upgrade to 10. So would I install using a Windows 10 installer or would I do a Windows 7 installer? I'm assuming the UEFI board stores the keys?

 

You would install using the Windows 10 installer. The digital entitlement which will be retrieved to activate the clean install of Windows 10 is stored on Microsoft activation servers and will be retrieved when you connect to the internet. Skip entering the product key when asked - just make sure to install the same version of Windows 10 that you had on the computer before.