Activating Windows 10 using an OEM key ?

[elheriel]

A simple question for those of you who might have tried this (I personally always installed Win 10 from a fresh format). I built a system for a customer/friend of mine, and originally intended to use Windows 7 on it. I instead installed Windows 10 WITHOUT a product key for the sake of testing. I liked it, and decided I would stick with Windows 10 for this build. Now however, I have to use my OEM key on it, since I obviously won't be selling this machine without an activated Windows.

Does it really need a fresh install, or could I simply go to Account, Activate Windows and feed it the OEM key there, just like if I had bought a key from the Microsoft Store ? I so don't feel like formating again and reinstalling all that software if it can be avoided.

Thanks in advance guys 😉

 

[Jwpanz]

You can activate Windows 10 with a new key if you have one. There's no need to reinstall it.

 

[USAFRet]

If you installed it from a verified install media (Microsoft), just activating it with that license key should be no problem.
No reinstall needed.

Of course, as long as it is the same version (Home v Pro), and of course you can't use that OEM license anywhere else.