Windows 10 clean install question AFTER upgrade

[Aolish]

Hi all, I could use some help. I'm currently trying to do a clean install for a friends friend that has a Dell Studio Hybrid that was running really slow.

-I upgraded his Win7 install to Win10.

-Win10 activated just fine. I'm assuming his license key is legit since it activated.

-I'm currently in the process of doing a clean install but for some reason it is asking me to put in a product key, do I just skip this step in the hopes it'll activate itself? Also do I choose to format the drive or just install win10 over the upgraded win10? The reason why I ask is because won't the old product key be gone in the old win10 upgraded install or will the OS just communicate with microsoft and activate itself regardless if I format or not? Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[MustISO]

If Windows 10 has already been activated it should activate by itself after the installation completes. Doesn't matter if you format or not first , just select to do a new install.

 

[rip]

As far as I know W10 doesn't actually have a key - it's based on M/B bios hardware or some such.
I used magic jelly bean and it gave me a key but, I believe it's a generic key.
When I clean installed I gave it my W7 key and it went right through; no problems, no more questions. AND, this is with new hardware (m/b, hd).

 

[Elixer]

Yes, you skip the key, and once everything is installed, then activate it again, and it should work.
I have seen a few times where it didn't, but, I can't tell you for sure on the reason, I think they didn't activate the first time around & verify it was activated.

 

[sweenish]

What does re-installing do that a reset wouldn't have?

 

[Puffnstuff]

I just clean installed 10 home on my tablet after several hardware updates left it unable to boot in any mode. I did like any other post activation clean install skipping key entry and it automatically activated the next time it connected online. A clean install allows you to wipe the partition(s) just in case there's an issue with one of them.

 

[sweenish]

So, in OP's case, everyone is just suggesting they waste their time with an upgrade install followed by clean install.

The amount of times refresh and reset DON'T get suggested is a little maddening. Reset applies perfectly here, there is zero reason to go through the bother of clean install.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Whenever I've had an issue with windows refresh didn't really correct it just took me back on top of the problem which always resurfaced shortly thereafter. You can do as you wish but if it comes down to problems a clean install works best.

 

[Elixer]

If you have a SSD, you should always do a secure erase, and a clean install.
Reset / refresh can fail, and leave extra crap behind, but it does have some corner case uses.

 

[sweenish]

Whenever I've had an issue with windows refresh didn't really correct it just took me back on top of the problem which always resurfaced shortly thereafter. You can do as you wish but if it comes down to problems a clean install works best.

Reset and refresh are two different options.

 

[Carfax83]

-I'm currently in the process of doing a clean install but for some reason it is asking me to put in a product key, do I just skip this step in the hopes it'll activate itself? Also do I choose to format the drive or just install win10 over the upgraded win10? The reason why I ask is because won't the old product key be gone in the old win10 upgraded install or will the OS just communicate with microsoft and activate itself regardless if I format or not? Thanks for any help in advance.

Yes, you skip the product key request. Once you log in to your Windows 10 account, it will automatically activate.

The activation is tied to your Windows 10 account, and to your personal hardware specs.

If you change your hardware substantially, you will lose your Windows 10 activation. The only way around that is to get a retail license.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Reset and refresh are two different options.

You can reset to the beginning or use restore to a previous point but if the underlying system is damaged the end result will still be the same. I've been using windows since 3.1 and when issues arise a clean install with an uncorrupted registry is always the best foundation to build upon.

 

[sweenish]

Restore is a different thing entirely.

OP should have been advised to simply do a reset. There is no indication that anything has been corrupted to the point where a clean install will do what a reset can't. But the reset would have saved a good chunk of time.

And what does using Windows since 3.1 have to do with anything? So was I. Whoop-dee-doo.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I had to edit my comment for fear of sinking down to the low level of the respondent.

 

[JeffMD]

Oh god, windows resets are sooooo sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow.

I much prefer reinstalling from a usb drive.

Normaly windows 10 has a key, but for people who upgrade the key is tied to your microsoft windows logon (I believe this is required to activate upgrades?). The key is saved to the account and is matched with a hardware profile that the account is also fitted with (so you can't install it on a different computer and attempt to activate it using the same logon credentials).

 

[Dahak]

....key is tied to your microsoft windows logon (I believe this is required to activate upgrades?).....

Nope, you can still activate it if you skip the ms account and create only a local login

The key is saved to the MS SERVERS and is matched with a hardware profile .

correction in italics

But I do believe they may be associating it now with the ms accounts now too, as I go to accounts.microsoft.com/devices I see two computers listed and 1 is one of my computers that I did the upgrade on and only used a local account, but then had uses my ms account for the store at a later point