[SOLVED] Should I reset Windows or reinstall it ?

[SMURFATAR]

I'm selling my old PC and would like to sell it with a clean slate. I was told that reinstalling Windows was the better option rather than just resetting it as any personal information would be completely wiped clean, but in a Tom's Hardware guide it says that when you use a flash drive with the Windows installation media on it to reinstall Windows it you must have a Microsoft account that is tied to a Windows key. This would be fine if it was for my own PC, but I don't want my personal Microsoft account tied to a PC that I'm selling to a stranger. I built this PC in 2014 and I still have the little USB drive that was used to originally install Windows. This USB drive is NOT a random USB with the Windows installation media on it, but an official Microsoft Windows 10 Home USB drive. I'm not sure if that USB drive is the solution, but that's why I'm here. Any and all responses are appreciated, and thank you in advance.

 

[USAFRet]

Full wipe and reinstall

Create a NEW Win 10 USB to install from.

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

Do this install with NO ethernet or WiFi.


Also:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...nt-selling-gifting-windows-10-device-xbox-one

 

[SMURFATAR]

Full wipe and reinstall

Create a NEW Win 10 USB to install from.

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

Do this install with NO ethernet or WiFi.


Also:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...nt-selling-gifting-windows-10-device-xbox-one

I looked at that Tom's Hardware article, but how do I get a Windows activation key without signing in with a Microsoft Account?

 

[hotaru.hino]

I looked at that Tom's Hardware article, but how do I get a Windows activation key without signing in with a Microsoft Account?

If you're asking where to get the one that's installed on the computer: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...duct-key-aaa2bf69-7b2b-9f13-f581-a806abf0a886

EDIT: If none of those apply to you, you can use the command line option described in https://www.groovypost.com/howto/find-your-windows-10-product-key/

 

[USAFRet]

I looked at that Tom's Hardware article, but how do I get a Windows activation key without signing in with a Microsoft Account?

You don't need a MS account or license key to obtain that install routine.

 

[Docociv]

Full wipe and reinstall

Create a NEW Win 10 USB to install from.

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

Do this install with NO ethernet or WiFi.


Also:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...nt-selling-gifting-windows-10-device-xbox-one

Why do you ask to full wipe and reinstall for just every problem

 

[USAFRet]

Why do you ask to full wipe and reinstall for just every problem

I do not.

In situations when it is warranted, however, that is often the easiest, fastest, best way to the desired end state.