Should I Reload OS on Used Laptop?

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  1. Posts : 16,961
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #11

    mridzon said:
    Just out of curiosity, are you referring to the embedded MS tool, "create a system restore point" ?
    No.

    Restore points are an entirely different thing.
    Restore points contain a small set of system files that can be restored [to cope with Windows problems]. I have found them unreliable so I don't bother with them at all any more.
    Restore points do not contain everything. Images do.



    Denis
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 55
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Folks, I am looking at several used laptop options, some of which have Win11 Pro on them. I have never run Win11 and wasn't ready to make the transition (I tend to be one of those people that are slow to transition to the latest-n-greatest stuff). If I buy one with Win11 Pro, is it possible to downgrade to Win10 Pro without buying a new license? In other words, can the Win11 key stand good for a Win10 installation? Or is that a completely ridiculous idea?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 31,685
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #13

    mridzon said:
    Folks, I am looking at several used laptop options, some of which have Win11 Pro on them. I have never run Win11 and wasn't ready to make the transition (I tend to be one of those people that are slow to transition to the latest-n-greatest stuff). If I buy one with Win11 Pro, is it possible to downgrade to Win10 Pro without buying a new license? In other words, can the Win11 key stand good for a Win10 installation? Or is that a completely ridiculous idea?
    If the PC is activated with a digital licence for windows 11, then that is also valid for Windows 10. For activation purposes MS does not distinguish between W10 and W11. All keys and digital licences are valid for Windows 10/11.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 6,350
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       #14

    mridzon said:
    Folks, I am looking at several used laptop options, some of which have Win11 Pro on them. I have never run Win11 and wasn't ready to make the transition (I tend to be one of those people that are slow to transition to the latest-n-greatest stuff). If I buy one with Win11 Pro, is it possible to downgrade to Win10 Pro without buying a new license? In other words, can the Win11 key stand good for a Win10 installation? Or is that a completely ridiculous idea?
    Win 10 and Win 11 is almost the same thing. There are some little changes, like the Start on the bottom center of the screen just to distinguish Win 11 from Win 10. And those changes are easy to change so it looks like Win 10.
    As MS Win 10 support will end soon I would try Win 11.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 55
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Thank you folks. This is great feedback!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 317
    Windows 10
       #16

    mridzon said:
    I'm buying a used laptop on eBay. It's advertised as fully functional with a fresh copy of Win10 Pro. My gut tells me I should retrieve the Win10 product key, wipe out the SSD, and reload windows, as a safeguard against any virus/malware/phishing software hidden in the OS. Would this be a smart idea, or can I just roll the dice and leave the OS as is?
    Thing about buying computers online they often will advertise and market

    1TB or 500GB HD. ( Usually Not SSD and if SSD 40GB )
    Windows 10/11 installed
    RAM amount and They might mention the ram speed as well.
    But those things do not matter at all to somebody who is experienced enough and probably have these parts lying around.

    There are so many variables in purchasing anything that has been around for awhile. The buttons turn to mush, parts might not work the same. So forth. It is literally no different then buying a new car only in five years for it to turn to rubbish. Then you might not even want it anymore and nobody wants it for the same price it was, because the parts are not present. However they have cars less then $2000 that is on the highway all the time, and the parts are presented, leaving room for other quality of life advancements.
    ............

    Leave the OS as is. You could download just about any Virus busting software and do a scan. Or even load the Drive into another machine and scan it with your OS. That is being paranoid.

    When I buy any computer I prefer it to not have any OS installed. I could install it myself.
    .........

    old me

    I brought a workstation labtop ( still good today ) but I never had Windows 10 and it was $700. Now it is $15 ( If I find it for a good deal ) if I start looking. Which I purchase for parts.

    new me

    I would buy a labtop ( or computer ) and just copy the OS and install it into the computer without or putting in any kind of key, or associating with any kind of account. ( despite touching base ). I do not need Windows because I have a working copy that I have been updating for years. That is the final straw for me. I go online and download whatever OS I want and install whatever OS I want and could careless. I block updates and whatever I am able to.

    ...............
      My Computer


 

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