I had Win 7 home on my laptop (64bit), then received and installed the free upgrade to Win 10 in Autumn 2015.
The laptop is now running quite erratically and very slow and I feel it is time to do a clean re-install.
I do not wish to go back to Win 7, just have a clean start with Win 10.
Simple instructions please. Thanks
A clean install will make it run great! :)
Clean Install Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials
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I do not have a windows product key. Bit concerned that the reply pointed to a 2014 instruction, when I downloaded an October 2105 edition!
"Updated: 3 Weeks Ago at 07:45 PM"
Our tutorials are kept up-to-date. :)
Once a system has had Windows 10 installed and activated, the activation resides on the MS servers, and you can reinstall/clean install as often as you like/need. Once online, the system will auto-active on the MS servers.
But, you can always grab your key using ShowKeyPlus.
ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums
Be sure to download the most recent Windows 10 ISO for the clean install.
p.s. When you clean install, be sure to install the same version (Home or Pro), and skip if it asks for a key.
You shouldn't have to enter a product key since your Windows 10 has already been activated on your computer
Go to section 7 in the tutorial recommended by simrick: it mentions you can click/tap on the I don't have a product key.
I have used that process a few times and did not have a problem with the clean install automatically being activated.
If the computer had windows 7 on it from the factory, it should have a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on it with a product key printed on it. If all else fails (and the "I don't have a product key" link should work in Windows 10 setup), you can still activate Windows 10 by entering a Windows 7 or 8/8.1 product key.
Sticker fell off years ago! Really should be stuck inside,say on the processor. No point sticking it on the hottest exterior part of a laptop and at the point where it meets the lap!!
That was my point about a link to a 2014 tutorial which only instructed you need a product key. Hence this thread.
You can try showkey plus from this forum. OEM:COA key type would be the product key that was printed on label. OEM:SLP is a product key that would be only used with the factory recovery media and cannot be used to activate Windows 10:
ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums
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