Question How to install Windows 10/11 - reusing the original License Key - in a new SSD?

[Manuel Jordan]

A new laptop always has installed by default either Windows 10 or Windows 11 being mostly Home.

I know how to get the current original License Key. It through the following command:

• wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

It according with the How to Find a Windows 10 or 11 Product Key tutorial.

Therefore consider if suddenly the current SSD crashes and a new one is bought.

Question

• How to install Windows 10/11 - reusing the original License Key - in a new SSD?

How does Windows solve this situation?

 

[kerberos_20]

A new laptop always has installed by default either Windows 10 or Windows 11 being mostly Home.

I know how to get the current original License Key. It through the following command:

• wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

It according with the How to Find a Windows 10 or 11 Product Key tutorial.

Therefore consider if suddenly the current SSD crashes and a new one is bought.

Question

• How to install Windows 10/11 - reusing the original License Key - in a new SSD?

How does Windows solve this situation?

on a windows laptop you dont need key, its written on mainboard (bios slp key)...so once you install windows, just skip entering key and it will activate just fine on its own

 

[kerberos_20]

but if any weird chance you get prompted to enter key, you can use generic windows key, this key wont activate on its own, but it will stop bothering you with enter valid key

Windows Product Keys

Windows Product Keys. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

gist.github.com

 

[USAFRet]

The license is tied to the motherboard, not the drive.
(and sort of to the user as well)

A new install, on the original or on a new drive, in the same system, incurs NO licensing issues.

It will activate itself when it goes online later.

 

[Manuel Jordan]

Thanks for the reply

To put more simple the scenario. You have the License key, the USB Drive with the .iso file created with https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 disappeared or is not functional anymore - or even more: the .iso file was never generated and saved in a pendrive. Then your current SSD crashed ... how to reinstall Windows 10/11 in the new SSD?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for the reply

To put more simple the scenario. You have the License key, the USB Drive with the .iso file created with https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 disappeared or is not functional anymore - or even more: the .iso file was never generated and saved in a pendrive. Then your current SSD crashed ... how to reinstall Windows 10/11 in the new SSD?

Then you use some other system to create a USB install with, from the MediaCreation Tool. Or have a friend do it.
They are absolutely generic, no key involved.

I could mail you one of mine and it would work. (I won't)