How to do a fresh Windows 10 install, if I've upgraded from 8?

[Yuriman]

I'd like to wipe my SSD and reinstall Windows 10 with UEFI enabled in bios (for various reasons). However, I upgraded from a copy of Windows 8. Is it possible for me to download a Windows 10 installer, load it onto a flash drive, and reinstall 10 using my 8 key? Or, is there perhaps another way to do this? E.g. make a bootable recovery drive, change to UEFI in bios, then restore?

Thanks.

 

[stars]

You're on the right path. Put Windows 10 on a flash drive using the media tool Microsoft provides. Just select "Create installation media for another PC" when creating the image onto the flash drive.

You should not have to use a key during install or afterwards. If the current Windows 10 upgrade is activated it will automatically activate after the fresh install.

 

[Yuriman]

Interesting. If I'm understanding correctly, it will have my hardware registered, recognize it, and activate automatically?

 

[nerp]

Yep. Once the machine is associated with 10, it's associated forever. You can swap an HD and not worry about typing in the key. MS has not revealed EXACTLY how it detects a hardware change but you should be able to reinstall 10 with that motherboard forever no worries. The trigger seems to be a motherboard change.

 

[Yuriman]

Thanks! This is excellent news.

 

[Elixer]

Of course, this only works if you actually activated your windows 10 the first time around.
And yes, you can also use your win 8 key to activate, that is, until June, then they will stop that, unless they expand the deadline.