Reinstall of Windows 10

C

copiman

Member
I have a desktop that originally came with Windows 7. It was later updated to the FREE Windows 10. Has ran OK ever since. Thursday it will not boot. I was thinking I would load Windows 10 again. My problem is how do I handle product key and activation?
 
copiman said:
I have a desktop that originally came with Windows 7. It was later updated to the FREE Windows 10. Has ran OK ever since. Thursday it will not boot. I was thinking I would load Windows 10 again. My problem is how do I handle product key and activation?
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No product key needed, since you activated during the free upgrade period, your activation is tied to your motherboard.. basically reinstall and it will activate itself due to the digital entitlement you have!!

Make sure its the same version of Windows you had when you upgraded too, either Home or Pro.. don't switch or the activation won't work.
 
Thanks for the response. It originally had Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. It was upgraded through Windows updates (free version). I downloaded Windows 10 using the Media Creation tool. Am I on the right track?
 
Yeah just meant like if you had 10 Home before..needs to remain 10 Home when you reinstall.. same goes for 10 Pro.

The tool will ask you which version..pick the right one for your install!
 
Thanks again for the advice. I do however have a question. My drive testes OK, therefor I plan to install Windows 10 from an ISO. I have attached a pic of the hard drive partitions by attaching the drive to another PC. Remember this PC came with Windows 7 originally and later upgraded through Windows update to 10.

The Recovery E: drive I would assume is the Windows 7 recovery that the Manufacture placed on the HDD?

The OS F: is where Windows 10, apps, docs, pics, etc... are now?

The 39MB partition Healthy OEM partition is what? Not sure on this one.

Should I just wipe the drive completely and load Windows 10? Or should I just load 10 on the F: drive?

Since this PC will not boot I assume there is no way to load 10 and keep Application?

Sorry for so many questions but this will help solve my issue as well as help me in my studies (student in computers and networks).
 
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I got a blue scree with "critical process died". It would restart automatically and then take me to a choice of restart or Advanced something. Restart did nothing. In advanced i tried repair start up with no luck. Tried sfc /scannow with no luck. All hardware checked OK with Dell Diagnostics. Cannot get into safe mode. Cannot use restore points. I installed a hard drive and loaded 10 on it and PC boots, although I plan to use original drive since it checked ok with Seagate tool, Dell diag., and speccy.
 
Went ahead and did clean install and it seems to be working properly now. Should I go to the manufacturers website and install the Windows 10 drivers or leave it alone? Device manager shows no issues.
 
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