Windows 10 upgrade is full clean installation ?

Chocolade · 14 Apr 2016

I had windows 8.1 pro original dvd installed on my system.
Then I upgraded free to windows 10.
Now I want to make a new clean installation of windows 10 without keeping old files and directories and apps on c:\

So I downloaded the Microsoft windows 10 media creation tool.
Running it and I selected not to upgrade but : Create installation media for another PC
Now it's downloading the windows 10 and in the end I will create a bootable installation on my flash drive disk on key.

My question is if I will need a serial number/key when installing the windows 10 ?
My goal is to install a new clean windows 10 even with formatting c:\ or even delete and create new partition on c:\ but the idea is to install new clean windows 10.

davidhk · 14 Apr 2016

You will NOT need product key at all. Even in Clean install.

You already have Windows 10 installed and activated. Yes ?
If so, you are "digital entitled ".
You can reinstall the same Win 10 edition in the same computer as often as you want and anytime you want.
Activation will be automatic.

During the Clean Install, if you are asked to enter the product key, just click the SKIP ( or the "I do not have a product key" ) option and continue.
Activation will be automatic.

Computer Chicken · 14 Apr 2016

You can just go into Settings and then go to System... then reinstall Windows 10 from there. Or Refresh, which if you know there is a problem with Windows, you can refresh which reinstalls everything as if you bought it from the store or built, but keeps your files, just removes the programs you installed. :)

alphanumeric · 15 Apr 2016

If that original 8.1 Pro was a factory OEM install, windows 10 will read the OEM key from the BIOS automatically. You won't be prompted to select Home or Pro or be asked for a key. And It will activate with the original digital entitlement.

If that 8.1 Pro install was from a Retail DVD, you'll be asked to select Home or Pro. Select Pro and do a skip when asked for a key. It will activate with the original digital entitlement. You could enter your 8.1 Pro key if you wanted, but why bother, if you don't have to.

RWOne · 15 Apr 2016

The OP has win 10 installed thru upgrade and is activated, now wants a clean install without his files.

Won't backing up files, and then doing a reset of his PC without saving anything accomplish this in the easiest manner?

alphanumeric · 15 Apr 2016

Depends on what your definition of a "clean install" is, and how clean you want the install. A reset won't remove any factory recovery partitions etc, if there are some. Sounds like the OP wants to wipe everything and start over fresh to me. The main question, I believe, was about needing the key or not?