Is it possible to get Windows 10 on a USB flash drive and install it on my new PC for free? Or do I still need to pay for a product key or something?
I seem to remember installing Windows 10 from a flash drive without paying for anything, but I can't remember how I did it.
I'm not asking for anything illegal. I mean if I have to purchase a license or something that's fine.
Hi,
Yes, you can get a Windows distribution ISO file and create a bootable install media from it.
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10
Clean Install Windows 10
You can activate your installation for free, if you have any previous Windows installation key that is not in use at the moment. or can recover one from a dead computer.
Finally you can get a Windows installation key from online resellers. I prefer to get a Full Packaged Retail Product. You can then use this key for one computer and move it to a new one as many times you desire. As long as it runs only on 1 at the time.
Hi MaloK, thanks for the reply. It seems they want $140 for a valid Windows 10 product key. Do you know of anyplace that would have something like this but cheaper?
I currently have an HP all in one PC with Windows 10 installed on it. The PC came this way, but I was wondering if there would be any way to get the OS off this PC on to a flash drive for my new PC?
You can only use a already used license if it is a Win 7 , Win 8.x or Win 10 Retail license. This is the official MS statement but there are some workaround to try. If you don't have any Win 7 , Win 8.x or Win 10 Retail, OEM or other license you have to buy one.
There are some Win 7 and Win 8.x (retail or OEM) license for sale for a very cheap price. You can use the license to install win 10
You can transfer full retail licenses/activations - not OEM ones.
Malok has said how you can clean install Win 10.
You ask about
Yes, you can clone the O/S, installed programs - everything - and hope Windows succeeds in reconfiguring drivers - but that does not in itself give you an activated installation on your new PC, provided they are compatible (UEFI, 64 bits e.g.) but I am not recommending that. Just commenting on it as you raised it.get the OS off this PC on to a flash drive for my new PC
You can:
- activate Win 10 with a valid suitable Win 7 or 8 license not already so used. Some are available cheaply, but beware.
- transfer retail activation from one PC to another
- buy a valid Win 10 license at lower cost from some places - but then you have to ensure these are valid and reputable, The scammers are out to get you.
If you are going to decommission the old PC and it will not be used (with this activation of windows) after. You can recover it's installation key and use it to activate Windows on your new machine.
I would not suggest to clone that old thing on your new computer, A clean install is what you want.
So I will have to buy the actual OS. So far the cheapest I've found is $35 for Windows 10 Home 64 bit from this site. Just wondering if I can trust this is the real deal? Maybe I should keep looking?
They have it on USB from Amazon for $110
TrustPilot say they are ok, but some are not so okay with it.
PC Sales Online Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of pcsalesonline.com
Any red flags with PCsalesonline.com? - PCPartPicker
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Is pcsalesonline.com a legitimate source for purchasing a download of Windows 10 Professional OEM? (If you don’t know, please just pass on this question.) - Quora
Well I'm not having too much success finding a legit USB version of this OS. I might have to go to someplace like Best Buy and see if I can get one. Most places that seem legit have it as a OEM DVD, but my new PC won't have a DVD player in it. Do people even use those in their PCs anymore?
The media is not really relevant, because most will suggest to download the windows install media creation tool and use the latest version available. So even if your buy the DVD you can still use any media you want to install it.
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