How to buy a Windows 10 Pro License

AddRAM said:

Exactly, just leave the MS stick in the box, no need to touch it

You can buy a 16GB stick for $10

It is tiny too!
I have been using an 8GB stick up till now. 1809 isn't bigger than all the others is it?

That's good, thanks.
I still have many older sticks, 2GB, 4GB, and 8s. One of them is the dedicated W10 stick. Although, embarrassingly, it probably has 1709 on it now .

Your plan looks good. Just do as others have said. Take an 8GB stick and create thru Media Creation Tool. Install and use your new key. Think of the MS stick as the OEM (not literally) Recovery Partition that would come with a new machine. Leave it all comfy tucked away for emergency only.

Bree said:

The 2GB are too small for a Windows installer, but the 4GB may be just large enough for the MCT to make a single 'bits' install usb. 1809 (x64) is 3.9GB, 1809 (x86) is 2.9GB.

I have just unearthed my oldest usb stick - a whole 1GB (and still working). The best use I've found for such small USBs is for my Macrium recovery media. However you make it, it's always smaller than 1GB.

Oh! I just ran across an old 4GB stick, Bree! It looks different than everything else I have, so I'm gonna dedicate that one to MR Recovery Media! Thanks for the hint!

spokey said:

What I didn't see anyone ask or suggest is what OS the OP is coming from. You can still upgrade for free.

I did that a few months ago from win7 pro to win10 pro. Used the media tool to put it on a USB stick. I wanted a clean install, so first I upgraded to get the activation, then did a clean install. Full disclosure: I've been through a few upgrades to get to 1803 but I'm now having an issue with 1809 but I'm convinced that has mostly to do with trying to keep a laptop I bought in 2006 going.

Yes I could install one of my legal copies of W7 from the family pack and then upgrade.
But I prefer not to do an upgrade install, among other reasons.