windows 10 clean install questions

leonnick

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Jan 15, 2016
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Hello guys, i want to do a clean install of win10 and I've got some questions bout it:
1. I've read that i dont have to enter the key on a system i had installed win10 on, does this only count for systems with UEFI?
2. Which of these USBs do I have to choose? o.o
qaapO6n.jpg
 
Solution
1) You do NOT need to enter the key, just to clarify as it's been said correctly and incorrectly.

It doesn't matter how you have W10 on the system. Once it's been activated your license is stored at the MS server.

2) BOOT from USB?
Assuming a USB stick, probably the USB-HDD. You'll know if you can't boot into the W10 install.

*I'm pretty sure you can also just start the process from within Windows by running the setup.exe file.

a) start setup
b) choose the clean install option (not keeping files/data)
c) DELETE partitions during setup (I'd have other drives unhooked first)
d) Finish MS updates
e) video drivers, programs etc.

Make sure to have your password/user id to login when prompted, and backup any data you might need.

leonnick

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Jan 15, 2016
14
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4,510


Im installing windows from a usb stick and i dont know which of these i have to choose
and can i see my key somehow? or do i need a new one?
im resetting my pc so its not my first time installing win10 on this pc (should've written this in the question x) )
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
If your system was Upgraded to Win 10 from a qualifying OS (Win 7 or 8.1), you do NOT need to enter any license key for the reinstall.

Your "license key" is a hash of your original qualifying OS license, and your current hardware.
If all you are changing is the drive, or just reinstalling on the same drive....no problem.

Create your install media from this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Boot from that, and install as needed.

 

leonnick

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Jan 15, 2016
14
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4,510


already did that, but i dont know how to boot from my usb stick x) which one do i have to start? (USB-FDD, USB-ZIP, USB-HDD USB-CDROM)
 
1) You do NOT need to enter the key, just to clarify as it's been said correctly and incorrectly.

It doesn't matter how you have W10 on the system. Once it's been activated your license is stored at the MS server.

2) BOOT from USB?
Assuming a USB stick, probably the USB-HDD. You'll know if you can't boot into the W10 install.

*I'm pretty sure you can also just start the process from within Windows by running the setup.exe file.

a) start setup
b) choose the clean install option (not keeping files/data)
c) DELETE partitions during setup (I'd have other drives unhooked first)
d) Finish MS updates
e) video drivers, programs etc.

Make sure to have your password/user id to login when prompted, and backup any data you might need.
 
Solution