Question How to clear SSDs to install Windows on new system?

[RealJohnJohnson]

Hello,

I'm building a new system with everything different except my storage. What I'd like to do is create a fresh install of Windows 11 on the new system and clear the drives. My system currently has Windows 10, but I would like to upgrade to Windows 11. Is it necessary to purchase a new copy of Windows? If this is possible, list the required steps.

Thanks!

 

[bniknafs9]

there are some cheaper volume licensed Enterpirse windows 11 you can buy.
the usb flash you make with microsoft tool gives you all the tools to delete and make partisions on your disks . so no need for 3rd party software . . .

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

there are some cheaper volume licensed Enterpirse windows 11 you can buy.
the usb flash you make with microsoft tool gives you all the tools to delete and make partisions on your disks . so no need for 3rd party software . . .

Okay! You think it is necessary to buy a new copy of Windows, then?

 

[Lafong]

Okay! You think it is necessary to buy a new copy of Windows, then?

Probably not.

 

[bignastyid]

Is your win 10 license retail or OEM?

 

[bniknafs9]

Okay! You think it is necessary to buy a new copy of Windows, then?

you don't have to buy it first . .
try microsoft windows 11 image tool HERE :

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11


see if you like it
then you can purchase cheap keys from retailers based in the United Kingdom .

 

[bniknafs9]

win 11 is cooler then win 10
it doesn't have the annoying millenial features
and its canary channel gives you access to windows 12

 

[bignastyid]

there are some cheaper volume licensed Enterpirse windows 11 you can buy.
the usb flash you make with microsoft tool gives you all the tools to delete and make partisions on your disks . so no need for 3rd party software . . .

A cheap gray market Enterprise key is not going to be legal/legit key. Volume license keys are only legal for use by the company that bought the volume license they are not suppose to be sold.

 

[bniknafs9]

A cheap gray market Enterprise key is not going to be legal/legit key. Volume license keys are only legal for use by the company that bought the volume license they are not suppose to be sold.

But i'm still using one on my computer and no issues whatsoever so far . it's a win 10 key and it also works on win 11 . God be it will work on windows 12 too . .

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

Is your win 10 license retail or OEM?

I believe it is OEM.

 

[bniknafs9]

mine is retail i have reformatted and reinstalled win 11 on my computer 20 + times. with two different ssd's

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

you don't have to buy it first . .
try microsoft windows 11 image tool HERE :

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11


see if you like it
then you can purchase cheap keys from retailers based in the United Kingdom .

Do I need to put the Installation Media on a drive, then boot from it? When would I need to input the key?

 

[bignastyid]

But i'm still using one on my computer and no issues whatsoever so far . it's a win 10 key and it also works on win 11 . God be it will work on windows 12 too . .

And as soon as Microsoft figures out the key is in breach of contract and deactivates it or the os needs to contact the companies licensing server it won't be working anymore.

 

[bniknafs9]

you can change the key later .
when you install the windows . .

it is step by step and gives you all the options to either download an iso or write to a usb flash drive .

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

you can change the key later .
when you install the windows . .

it is step by step and gives you all the options to either download an iso or write to a usb flash drive .

I think I see! It will ask me for a key when I'm installing Windows off the USB?

Sorry, the software side is not as clear to me as actually building the computer!

 

[USAFRet]

I think I see! It will ask me for a key when I'm installing Windows off the USB?

Stop.

You're building a new system.
What will you do with the old one?

You'll have 2 sets of hardware and one license.
Can't use it on both.

You can install Win 10 or 11 on this new system, and skip the license key.
Depending on where that current license key came from, you may be able to transfer that to your new system.
But leaving your old system with no licensed OS.

So, where did the current one come from?


(and stay away from 'cheap' licenses, Enterprise or otherwise)

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

Stop.

You're building a new system.
What will you do with the old one?

You'll have 2 sets of hardware and one license.
Can't use it on both.

You can install Win 10 or 11 on this new system, and skip the license key.
Depending on where that current license key came from, you may be able to transfer that to your new system.
But leaving your old system with no licensed OS.

So, where did the current one come from?


(and stay away from 'cheap' licenses, Enterprise or otherwise)

Hey!

I'm not going to be using the old system anymore, likely scrapping it for parts. So it is okay to transfer the license from the old system to the new system. I'm just not familiar with how to go about this process. I believe the OEM I purchased was in 2015 or so, for Windows 8.1. Hopefully that is enough information.

Cheers

 

[USAFRet]

Hey!

I'm not going to be using the old system anymore, likely scrapping it for parts. So it is okay to transfer the license from the old system to the new system. I'm just not familiar with how to go about this process. I believe the OEM I purchased was in 2015 or so, for Windows 8.1. Hopefully that is enough information.

Cheers

A Win 8.1 you purchased?
Then upgraded to Win 10?

Clarification like this is why we ask, and do not assume a way forward for you.

Yes, you can almost certainly use that in a new system with a Win 10 or 11 install.


So....
This is for Win 10, but it is 99% the same as a WIn 11 install.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

To get the MediaCreation tool to create your USB to install the OS with, here:
Win 10:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Win 11:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

A Win 8.1 you purchased?
Then upgraded to Win 10?

Clarification like this is why we ask, and do not assume a way forward for you.

Yes, you can almost certainly use that in a new system with a Win 10 or 11 install.


So....
This is for Win 10, but it is 99% the same as a WIn 11 install.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

To get the MediaCreation tool to create your USB to install the OS with, here:
Win 10:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Win 11:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

Yes, I purchased Windows 8.1 and then upgraded it to Windows 10. That information is very helpful, and I appreciate the advice! Will it give me the option, while installing Windows, to repartition my drives?

 

[Lafong]

Yes, I purchased Windows 8.1 and then upgraded it to Windows 10. That information is very helpful, and I appreciate the advice! Will it give me the option, while installing Windows, to repartition my drives?

Proper procedure would be to DELETE all partitions and install to unallocated space.

Windows will make partitions as it sees fit.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, I purchased Windows 8.1 and then upgraded it to Windows 10. That information is very helpful, and I appreciate the advice! Will it give me the option, while installing Windows, to repartition my drives?

So, during the install, just enter the existing license key.

Partitions....drives?
That brings us to a whole other realm.
What physical drives will you have in this system?

It is strongly advised to have only the one desired drive connected when you do the install.
Reconnect any others later.

And partitions?
Need some clarification on what partitions you're looking to do.

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

So, during the install, just enter the existing license key.

Partitions....drives?
That brings us to a whole other realm.
What physical drives will you have in this system?

It is strongly advised to have only the one desired drive connected when you do the install.
Reconnect any others later.

And partitions?
Need some clarification on what partitions you're looking to do.

For sure! The system has two SSDs and one HDD. I'll disconnect the drives except the one for the operating system, then connect them later.

It's possible that "partition" isn't the right word. I would like to clear the drives so that nothing is on them. They are cluttered at the moment and it would be nice to start fresh with the new computer. Maybe I can reformat them once Windows is installed?

 

[USAFRet]

It's possible that "partition" isn't the right word. I would like to clear the drives so that nothing is on them. They are cluttered at the moment and it would be nice to start fresh with the new computer. Maybe I can reformat them once Windows is installed?

Read through the tutorial i linked.

Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to DELETING all existing partitions, and moving on with a blank drive.

Later, you reconnect the other ones, and go into Disk Management to delete all existing partitions and reformat as needed.

 

[RealJohnJohnson]

Read through the tutorial i linked.

Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to DELETING all existing partitions, and moving on with a blank drive.

Later, you reconnect the other ones, and go into Disk Management to delete all existing partitions and reformat as needed.

Awesome! Thanks for the help

 

[Misgar]

Ed Bott on Zdnet has written an interesting article about cheap Windows keys and whether Microsoft is interested in stamping out unlicensed use of Volume License and Educational Windows keys

https://www.zdnet.com/article/is-your-windows-license-legal-should-you-even-care/

In the article, Ed explains that a 25-character key purchased from a shady web site is not a license to use Windows, unless you work for the company that bought the original key and Volume License.

The key you buy for $11 will unlock Windows and allow you to customise the Desktop, but it's not "legitimate". A search on Amazon shows an OEM? license for Windows 11 Home costs circa £120 in UK and Windows 11 Pro is nearly £200.

What you have to ask yourself is why does Amazon charge so much and other sites so little? Is Amazon ripping you off, or are the shady web sites selling pirate keys without a genuine license?

Of course when you buy a pre-built desktop PC or a laptop, the cost of Windows is much lower than buying a separate OEM license from Amazon.

It's one of those annoying facts that going legit costs a lot of money if you can't transfer an OEM license from an old machine over to a new build. Anyone got a legitimate OEM Windows 7 license? Try it out with Windows 11. It should work fine.

Most people don't care about licensing details, provided Windows works, plus there are illegal ways to activate Windows that don't involve spending any money at all. If you're going to pirate Windows, why bother spending $11?

Chances are Microsoft will never get around to switching off your pirated key, but it might happen someday. Even if it does happen, it's no big deal. You can go out and buy another "genuine" license for $11 and pretend it's legitimate.

A couple of years ago I took advantage of a magazine special offer and purchased a Windows 10 Professional license for £40. A bargain considering they're now charging £80 for a Windows 11 Pro license in the same mag. It's certainly cheaper than £200 at Amazon.