Want to do clean install of Windows 10 Pro 64


  1. MikeC578
    Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Pro 64
       New #1

    Want to do clean install of Windows 10 Pro 64


    Hey there - I'm looking to do a complete and clean install of Windows 10 on my 1 yr old pc. Kids (over the last 3 months) have loaded a ton of crap and it's really taken the stuffing out of my speed. The thing is - I got the free upgrade when Windows 10 was being released last year. I remember downloading a file to a USB and that got me upgraded to Windows 10.

    Is there going to be an issue as I don't have a Windows 10 disc - just my Windows 7 Pro 64.

    When I check my Windows 10 System info I see a Product Key Number but it looks nothing like any of the CD keys that I ever got from Microsoft...

    Any help would be appreciated.
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  3. AddRAM
    Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #2

    You don`t have a key you have a Digital License stored on MS servers.

    Just do a clean install, don`t enter a key, and W10 will activate once you get online.

    Download the Iso file and create a usb or dvd installer.

    Download Windows 10
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Want to do clean install of Windows 10 Pro 64-capture.jpg  
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  4. Bree
    Posts : 33,715
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #3

    As a 1 year old PC that was upgraded to W10 it was probably built for Windows 8. As such, there will be a W8 key embedded in the bios. The W10 install media should pick this up and automatically install the matching edition (Home or Pro) and not ask you for a key. The clean install should then activate automatically as soon as it can contact the Microsoft activation servers.

    If by any chance it does ask you which edition to install it must be the same, Home or Pro, as you had before. Your digital licence is only valid for one of them, the one you got in the upgrade. Should it ask for a key, click the 'I don't have one' link. Again, activation should be automatic.
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  6. dalchina
    Posts : 45,428
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #4

    From the extensive and professional tutorials here which you're free to browse and search:
    Windows 10 Tutorial Index Windows 10 Tutorials

    Clean Install Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

    To avoid reinstallation (most of the time) - once you have Windows installed and running, create a disk image using e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) _ external storage. Continue to install programs and set up your PC as you want it, maintaining a simple text log.

    Periodically update your disk image.

    Maintain this practice, which we strongly and repeatedly recommend.

    When things go badly wrong- even if your disk fails- you can restore your PC from your image. (New disk needed if failed of course!).
    You can image Windows, and any combination of disks and partitions.

    Saves a lot of time and stress.
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  7. AddRAM
    Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #5

    Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything
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  8. MikeC578
    Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Pro 64
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Bree said:
    As a 1 year old PC that was upgraded to W10 it was probably built for Windows 8. As such, there will be a W8 key embedded in the bios. The W10 install media should pick this up and automatically install the matching edition (Home or Pro) and not ask you for a key. The clean install should then activate automatically as soon as it can contact the Microsoft activation servers.
    If by any chance it does ask you which edition to install it must be the same, Home or Pro, as you had before. Your digital licence is only valid for one of them, the one you got in the upgrade. Should it ask for a key, click the 'I don't have one' link. Again, activation should be automatic.
    Hi Bree - no Windows 8 - the pc was built by me (I build them as a side job) and had Windows 7 Pro loaded...
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  9. Bree
    Posts : 33,715
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #7

    MikeC578 said:
    ...the pc was built by me (I build them as a side job) and had Windows 7 Pro loaded...
    Well, then the bootable install media the Media Creation Tool makes will ask which edition to install. Choose Pro, then skip entering a key during setup. Activation based on your existing digital licence will be automatic. Just don't go rebuilding the system before you do the clean install. You can change the hard drive if you like, that doesn't count. But a new motherboard will change the hardware ID that's used to identify your machine to the activation servers.
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  10. MikeC578
    Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Pro 64
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Thanx Bree.... I won't be changing any hardware components so thanx for the info... just skip entering a CD Key!
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