Windows 10: Windows 10 product key

Hi, I'm writing this because I built my PC back in 2013/2014, bought a personal version of Windows 8 or 8.1 back then IIRC which I unfortunately can't find the receipt for anymore, upgraded to the free version of Windows 10 in the last 2-3 years or so when it was rolled out and offered for free to existing Windows users, and now my CPU is failing after 7 years of use and I plan on doing a clean install of Windows on a fresh mobo/cpu/M.2 ssd. Is there a way Microsoft will be able to look me up to provide a fresh key to use? Really can't afford to spend money on a clean copy of Windows. Thanks

:)

 

windows 10 key

Thanks but I don't want to do any decrypting. I want to download a Win 10 ISO from Microsoft and install it using my Win 8 key. No other steps required. Is that possible?

 

Installing Windows 10 using Windows 7 key

Nope, you need to install Windows 10 first and make sure the Windows 7 key is transferred to your Windows account after you've installed Windows 10 (not quite sure how that works). I missed the last step and I could not activate Windows 10 after a re-install... Microsoft seem to have done everything they can to make it a PITA. Also, it's technically too late to do this now anyhow, as the upgrade offer has expired. But KMSPico works quite well...

As for getting rid of Windows, delete the Windows folder.

 

Why was I not asked for a product key when upgrading to Win 10?

According to your spec you have Win 10 Pro, but perhaps that doesn't reflect your PC.

You haven't stated which edition of Win 10 you have on this machine, nor what your Win 10 key is for.

For example, if you already have Win 10 Pro and your key is Win 10 Home, that would be a retrograde step.

For interest only:
Change Product Key in Windows 10

More on product key if you search this list or look at 'Related Tutorials' in the above.
Windows 10 Tutorial Index