Hello,
I have a Dell XPS 8700 which I upgraded to Win 10 Pro from Win 8.1 Home. The PC did not come with an operating System software disk and I now need to re-install the OS. Is there a preferred way to re-install Windows 10 Professional? Sorry if this is a very common question. Thank you for your help.
gdimauro
Which version do you need to install, 8.1 or 10? If you use the Dell-provided factory restore you'll get Win8 or 8.1. If you want Win10 you might want to look at Win10 recovery options in Settings, Update & Security.
You can download win 10 for free from Download Windows 10
Hi Berton, I want Win 10 so i'll look in the Settings, Update and Security. Thanks for your help.
Hi Samuria, I will follow that link to download Windows 10. I was wondering, if I do a full clean new installation, will I have trouble proving I purchased this system with a legitimate copy of windows? Like, will my license key be available within the new installation? Thanks again to both of you.
gdimauro
If you have been signing in with a ms account you activation is on MS server and you can skip putting a key in it will activate as you sign in
Welcome to TenForums @gdimauro
Actually, even if you haven't signed in with a MS account the upgrade would have recorded a digital licence on the activation servers tied to the hardware of your PC. You can still skip entering a key and it will activate.
Download the Media Creation Tool from the Download Windows 10 Samuria gave you. Run it and choose the 'Make media for another PC' option. Chose the USB option to make a bootable USB that can then be used to do a clean install.
Samuria, thank you so much for that. Ok, I think I'm good to go. Many thanks to all.
Regards,
gdimauro
Problem is it may install Home instead of pro if 8.1 key is bios embedded.
You can go to MS Store and enter 10 key to upgrade from Home to PRO.
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