Reinstall/Activation

Norbanvs · 30 Aug 2017

Before i say "Go for it", did you try to reboot in "safe mode"? Can you safe any data he has downloaded previously?
Did you try to find any thread here with a similar situation like yours?
If you try all that i ask, and if you are sure that it will work, then nothing is better than helping a good friend.
So GO FOR IT!

werby · 30 Aug 2017

lolo1943 said:

...I guess I already know what I need to do....

Hi,

Just keep in mind that you must use exactly the same (with your friend's) Windows 10 edition (Home, Pro / 32 or 64 bit / language) installation media:
How to Download a Windows 10 ISO File

And of course you can even repair it -if possible- avoiding reinstall:
Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10 Installation & Upgrade

GO FOR IT! It's easy.

NavyLCDR · 30 Aug 2017

werby said:

Hi,

Just keep in mind that you must use exactly the same (with your friend's) Windows 10 edition (Home, Pro / 32 or 64 bit / language) installation media

32 or 64 bit does not matter regarding activation of a clean install because the same product key (license) will activate both 32 and 64 bit installs. If the same version of Windows 10 (Home or Pro, in this case Home) is reinstalled on the same computer - click the link for "I don't have a product key" if it asks for a product key. Then select Windows 10 Home on the next screen. After installation, when the computer connects to the internet it will retrieve the digital license for Windows 10 for that computer that is stored at Microsoft and reactivate itself.

Now - if there is data saved on the computer that the user wants to access again, it might be possible to shrink the existing Windows 10 partition to make room for a new Windows 10 partition and install Windows 10 cleanly to the new partition, and then still have access to the data on the old partition. Once all the data is copied over, the old partition can be deleted and the new partition expanded to fill the empty space.

alphanumeric · 31 Aug 2017

I don't think language is an issue either. My MSDN keys are not tied to any one language. Just the Edition, Home , Pro etc. I could install English US, English UK, Even French if I want to. I can't speak it but I could install it and activate just fine.

cereberus · 31 Aug 2017

alphanumeric said:

I don't think language is an issue either. My MSDN keys are not tied to any one language. Just the Edition, Home , Pro etc. I could install English US, English UK, Even French if I want to. I can't speak it but I could install it and activate just fine.

I bet the French Cortana lady sounds wonderful :).

alphanumeric · 31 Aug 2017

cereberus said:

I bet the French Cortana lady sounds wonderful :).

Likely so. Not a lot of French speaking people in this part of Canada. You hear Gaelic every now and then. Wonderful sounding language. I don't think that's an available language pack though?

Bree · 31 Aug 2017

alphanumeric said:

I don't think language is an issue either....

It can be if a Single Language version of Home was originally on the OP's system. As far as I am aware, a digital licence for an activated Home (Single Language) edition in not valid for Home (or vice versa).

alphanumeric · 31 Aug 2017

Bree said:

It can be if a Single Language version of Home was originally on the OP's system. As far as I am aware, a digital licence for an activated Home (Single Language) edition in not valid for Home (or vice versa).

Yes, that is true. Home Single language is technically a separate edition. So, regular Home Keys will not work with it, just like Pro keys won't work with it either. I do believe you can change the installed language though and still use your SL key. Install French instead of English for example. I'm pretty sure it requires a reinstall to do it though. That's probably the one Edition I have never ever installed. I can't get keys for it VIA MSDN. K, N and S and everything else is available, just no Home SL.