Returning PC OS from Linux to Windows

A friend of mine, with even less know how than me, wants to see if she can return her PC from Linux (which she does not like), to Windows OS. The machine had Windows on it previously, though we are not sure which version.

I am trying to find some advice for her.

As a start, we will establish the specs of her approx. 6 year old Toshiba to see if it (more than) matches the minimum requirements. I have provided MS's list of specifications, but it seems Speccy is not available for Linux. However, I am checking out alternatives.

Next, I guess there is not much point in installing an earlier version than Windows 10, Home? (Except that we are going to check if the original Windows OS is still on the machine.) I understand there are a number of ways to (legally) acquire a Product Key other than paying the full market price? This is something I am not at all familiar with, as I have always bought a machine with Windows ready for activation.

If we find for some reason W10 is not a realistic option, what would be involved in installing W8.1? She would be happy with XP, which she uses on another machine, if it were not for the internet security issue.

We would both welcome some guidance.

sn00ker said:

Is the machine a custom build PC or is it a brand name computer like Dell, hp, Sony and so on type, if so you have a model number?

In the OP it is stated that it is a 6 year old Toshiba. That would indicate to me it is more than likely a laptop. @clayto, also more than likely came from the factory with Windows 8 and a Windows 8 product key stored in BIOS. If that is the case, if you install Windows 10 from a standard Windows 10 USB flash drive, it will read the Windows 8 product key from BIOS, and automatically install and activate the matching version of Windows 10. You can create the standard Windows 10 usb flash drive using the tool here:
Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File)

NavyLCDR said:

In the OP it is stated that it is a 6 year old Toshiba.... more than likely came from the factory with Windows 8 and a Windows 8 product key stored in BIOS.

Agreed, Windows 8 was available from October 26, 2012. ShowKeyPlus can tell you precisely what key it may have. ShowKeyPlus will run in the Windows PE environment, so you can boot from a Win10 install usb or a Win10 recovery drive and run it from the command line.

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums

If by any chance it was one of the last models supplied with Windows 7 then it should have a key on a CoA sticker and a SLP marker in the bios. Both Windows 7 and 8 are entitled to the upgrade to Windows 10.

...it will read the Windows 8 product key from BIOS, and automatically install and activate the matching version of Windows 10...

If this was a Windows 7 laptop, then Setup will ask you for a key. Type the key from the CoA and it should automatically install and activate the matching version of Windows 10.

Were you able to get the specifications for the laptop?

Is there anything else we can do to help?

Thanks.

Hi there

A 6 year old "Tosh" will be more than capable of running Windows 10 -- depending on the amount of RAM in it -- if only 4GB it will still run decently the 64 bit version -- check though that the cpu is 64 bit capable -- can be done in the Bios. Also see what Linux kernel you are running -- from linux console simply type : uname - r (ordinary user level is OK). You should get something like this : 3.10.0-957.10.1.el7.x86_64. If there's no x86_64 mentioned then it's almost certain you are running a 32 bit version.

Hardware wise though the Tosh should be more than up to it.

Change any HDD in the laptop to an SSD though - that will make a HUGE difference especially with old crummy 2.5 inch laptop HDD's. SSD's are really cheap now so even with an old machine it's still a profitable purchase -- you can get some 240 GB Kingston SSD's for around 30 EUR (inc Tax) these days - or even less.

Google for prices on this one in your area

Kingston A400 240GB SSD

Cheers
jimbo

I have passed on all the helpful advice to my friend, and expect to see if we can start acting upon it after I return from my trip away, in a week or so. I expect I will be back here too, for more assistance. At least It is clear now that what she wants to do is realistic.