Recommended clean install for this situation

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  1. Posts : 1,345
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #1

    Recommended clean install for this situation


    A friend has an AIO that was originally Windows 8, don’t know if it was upgraded to 8.1.
    The computer was upgraded to Windows 10 during the free upgrade period but it ran lousy.
    Her “expert” daughter wiped the HDD shortly afterward. Didn’t know what to do after that.
    A few months ago late in 2018, they purchased a Win10 install disc from Ebay.
    It wouldn’t activate: they contacted the seller and whatever that person did, it activated ok from what I’m told.
    Following that the computer still runs lousy on Windows 10.
    Actually, I think even Windows 8/8.1(?) ran lousy for them also.
    Unfortunately, I know my information is pretty sparse but that’s all I’ve got to work on.
    I volunteered to fix their situation a few years ago but the “expert” daughter wanted to be the one who fixes her mother’s computer.

    OK her mother brought that up to me last week. I told her I’m willing to help but only if she and her daughter let me help them this time.

    I’ve done some clean installs so I familiar with how to do them but I need some advice in this situation.
    They don’t know if they had Windows 10 Home or Pro and if they had 32 or 64-bit.
    Since they originally had Windows 8/8.1(?), I suspect it was 64-bit.
    I want to do a clean install that will recognize whether they have Home or Pro, 32 or 64-bit if possible.
    I’ve been thinking of using Clean Install Windows 10 since I could get the OOBE step and leave it there
    Clean Install Windows 10 | Tutorials
    Then either let them complete the set-up the way they want or let me finish it up with them there in their home together.
    Would that process accommodate what I’m looking to accomplish?

    But I have one more question
    Since they are now using whatever product key from their Ebay install disc, will Microsoft recognize the product key that applied upon the free Windows 10 upgrade back in 2015?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #2

    They don’t know if they had Windows 10 Home or Pro and if they had 32 or 64-bit.

    Determining the current OS and bitness is easy. R-click the Windows icon in lower L corner, hit 'System' brings up this Settings page -
    Recommended clean install for this situation-screenshot_1.jpg

    complete the set-up the way they want or let me finish it up with them there in their home together.
    Would that process accommodate what I’m looking to accomplish?

    Clean install after deleting all partitions is the best way to start fresh. The original key may still be there, on the motherboard since they did upgrade to 10, at some point. Hit 'Skip' when it asks for key and finish setup, then stop at the step where you have to answer 'who is going to use this computer' and let them finish from there. I like to have them create a Local account with the User Name they want and THEN add their MS sign-in, if they have one. If the key did not take, there will be a watermark on the screen asking you to activate. Use the new key then (not sure why they bought it, in the first place). Advise using Teamviewer to remotely sort things out in future w/o physically bringing the device to you. Good Luck
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,345
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    That was fast mrgeek, thank you. Unfortunately the original system information isn't available because they had wiped the HDD. And now they are trying to use that Ebay disc. But the good news is at least I'll be able to do the clean install and I'll go with what I suspect: Windows 10 Home & 64-bit. I'll create a system image backup before starting. But you've got me going with what I have to do.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #4

    Following that the computer still runs lousy on Windows 10.

    This gave me the impression they have Win10 now so previously wiping the drive has nothing to do with the bitness and orig build info doesn't matter now. You can always look up the orig specs online from the Make-Model # too.
    A clean install will auto detect 32 or 64bit for installation but if it's an AIO, in all likelihood, it's 64 bit. What is of more concern is whether it's Home or Pro so the orig key will match the new install. Maybe they bought the disc to upgrade to Pro over Home ?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    Run showkey plus from the software section of this forum. It will show you if there is a product key in bios.
    ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums

    If there is a product key in BIOS for windows 8, windows 10 setup will use it for activation. Don't trust an install disk purchased from ebay. Make your own directly from Microsoft:
    Download Windows 10

    Also, I would recommend replacing the hard drive with an SSD.
    Last edited by NavyLCDR; 05 Mar 2019 at 20:40.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,345
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    My post #1 “I told her I’m willing to help but only if she and her daughter let me help them this time.”
    --- Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen.

    @ mrgeek, thanks for your advice. I was hoping to help them very similarly as to your explanations as I’m very familiar to doing so except for Teamviewer. I’m not an expert but I hate to see a good computer go to waste. I average servicing 2 computers a week where I volunteer at our senior center and even though it keeps me too busy, I was hoping to help my friend but since that isn’t going to happen for reasons of their own, it is what it is.

    @ NavyLCDR, thanks for your advice also. I do not trust install discs from ebay either and I do use the Download Windows 10 process many times. Even though I’ve never used ShowKeyPlus before, I sure am now.

    I have to admit I’m disappointed I couldn’t help them solve their problems even though I reached out to them but I did want to get back to both of you to emphasize I appreciated your help and recommendations.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 928
    Win 10
       #7

    I’ve been thinking of using Clean Install Windows 10 since I could get the OOBE step and leave it there
    Personally would never do that. Too many things can go wrong after that and you will get the blame.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #8

    "I have to admit I’m disappointed I couldn’t help them solve their problems even though I reached out to them"

    Hope they appreciate your time and effort and thanks for reporting back.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,345
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Porthos said:
    Personally would never do that. Too many things can go wrong after that and you will get the blame.
    Yes, I agree with that. I've done one but it was to see if I could do it on my test computer and it came out fine. But I do suspect if I do that for someone else it could backfire.
    --- Thanks for your opinion.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 928
    Win 10
       #10

    MeAndMyComputer said:
    Yes, I agree with that. I've done one but it was to see if I could do it on my test computer and it came out fine. But I do suspect if I do that for someone else it could backfire.
    --- Thanks for your opinion.
    You could set it up in Audit mode and install drivers and software and set it up for OOBE mode and tell it to shut down. Then there are no driver issues etc.

    When I offered my opinion before I was not fully thinking things thru. Rough day(heart attack in family)
      My Computers


 

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