Does my Windows 8.1 key works on a Windows 10 + Slow startup


  1. Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #1

    Does my Windows 8.1 key works on a Windows 10 + Slow startup


    Here's the thing. Since 2 weeks, my computer started booting really slowing. When I open my laptop, the samsung logo appears, after that, I am getting a black screen and I have to wait about 3-5 minutes. I have a SSD that I bought last month and everything was fine since last week. So I was planning on reinstalling my Windows 10 from scratch (I previously made an update from 8.1 and kept all my files/programs). My question is: Is there a way to install Windows 10 directly without having to pass from 8.1 ? If I do so, will my Windows 8.1 key works or do I have to reinstall Windows 8.1 and make an update from there because my key will only work for 8.1 ? It's a key for Windows 8.1 Professional I got from DreamSpark.

    Thanks in advance!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
       #2

    If your Win10 is currently activated already, you can just do a clean installation. When prompted for product key simply skip to the next step.

    You will be prompted for the product key several times during installation. Skip them all and your Win10 will be activated automagically eventually.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Even if I restore my computer, Windows 10 will remember my key ?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #4

    Magik said:
    Even if I restore my computer, Windows 10 will remember my key ?
    There's no key.

    If you clean install Win 10 on the same hardware, the activation servers will recognize the machine and activate Win 10.

    You can probably modify the hardware (new HD, new graphics card, etc.) and still have a clean install activate online. The motherboard, you can't change.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    bobkn said:
    There's no key.

    If you clean install Win 10 on the same hardware, the activation servers will recognize the machine and activate Win 10.

    You can probably modify the hardware (new HD, new graphics card, etc.) and still have a clean install activate online. The motherboard, you can't change.
    Oh okay thanks, I didn't know that :)

    One last thing, if I use Microsoft Media Creation Tool to create an ISO for a Windows 10 x64 Pro, with it automatically make my usb key bootable ?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 40
    Windows 10
       #6

    Don't know (others can probably tell you), but in case you run into a problem after downloading the .iso, try using "rufus". That worked for me when it comes to creating a bootable USB drive.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #7

    You can't just copy the ISO file or expand it to a USB stick, instead, you need to use an app that will create a bootable USB stick from the ISO -- RUFUS, as already mentioned, is such an app.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Mark Phelps said:
    You can't just copy the ISO file or expand it to a USB stick, instead, you need to use an app that will create a bootable USB stick from the ISO -- RUFUS, as already mentioned, is such an app.
    Okay I'll try that. I thought using the Microsoft's Media Creation Tool was making the usb stick bootable...
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #9

    Magik said:
    Okay I'll try that. I thought using the Microsoft's Media Creation Tool was making the usb stick bootable...
    It DID with all the USB sticks I created. Must be a different problem.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 28
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Mark Phelps said:
    It DID with all the USB sticks I created. Must be a different problem.
    Well I haven't tried. I just assumed it wasn't working with was you said earlier :)
      My Computer


 

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