Windows 10 for new gaming computer

[oli_ct]

Hello all,

I have built myself a gaming PC but I have not yet been able to get things going as I have not sorted my operating system yet!

Now I am confused as to what I need to do this... I have researched and have found things like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Pro-System-Builder/dp/B07B8JMF32/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1521486715&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=windows%2010&psc=1&smid=AZU3ZPZI4XYNN

But also things like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-10-Pro-Professional-32-64bit-Genuine-License-Key-Product-Code/202263158166?epid=809536399&hash=item2f17d2dd96:g:RV0AAOSwv~laq~9q

If I just want to get the PC up and running and gaming, can I get away with the latter and much cheaper option?

Thanks in advance!

 

[madmatt30]

You're better off running unregistered than buying a cheap key from ebay .

 

[USAFRet]

1. You do NOT need Win 10 Pro

2. Any 'cheap' OS is almost certainly not valid. Win 10 Home below about £70 is not valid.

3. ANy licensed software from ebay is a bad idea. OS or otherwise.

4. You can install and run Win 10, and leave it Unactivated. $0.
There are some restrictions, but it runs just fine.
No customization of the desktop or taskbar, and a randomly appearing nag text at bottom right.
Install that, and run it until you fell like paying for the software you use.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[jacobweaver800]

You're better off running unregistered than buying a cheap key from ebay .

Your options are Linux (unrecommended for gaming) or there is a website that you can get windows keys for about $20 USD.

 

[USAFRet]

Your options are Linux (unrecommended for gaming) or there is a website that you can get windows keys for about $20 USD.

...and $20 wasted when it comes back as 'already used', or 'invalid'.
Yes, that is a likely outcome.

 

[oli_ct]

1. You do NOT need Win 10 Pro

2. Any 'cheap' OS is almost certainly not valid. Win 10 Home below about £70 is not valid.

3. ANy licensed software from ebay is a bad idea. OS or otherwise.

4. You can install and run Win 10, and leave it Unactivated. $0.
There are some restrictions, but it runs just fine.
No customization of the desktop or taskbar, and a randomly appearing nag text at bottom right.
Install that, and run it until you fell like paying for the software you use.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Oh that's sick! Gunna give that a go.

So will I need to download it onto a memory stick and then have that inserted into my PC when I boot it up for the first time?

 

[USAFRet]

1. You do NOT need Win 10 Pro

2. Any 'cheap' OS is almost certainly not valid. Win 10 Home below about £70 is not valid.

3. ANy licensed software from ebay is a bad idea. OS or otherwise.

4. You can install and run Win 10, and leave it Unactivated. $0.
There are some restrictions, but it runs just fine.
No customization of the desktop or taskbar, and a randomly appearing nag text at bottom right.
Install that, and run it until you fell like paying for the software you use.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Oh that's sick! Gunna give that a go.

So will I need to download it onto a memory stick and then have that inserted into my PC when I boot it up for the first time?

You download the MediaCreation tool to a currently working PC.
You use that to create a bootable USB.
Boot from that, and install on your system.
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

Note: This is not a "free" OS, but rather just Unactivated.
I have a long running WIn 10 installed in a VM, to see how long it actually runs.
Installed on Dec 8 2016. 467 days so for. Runs just like day 1. Of course, MS could cut that off at any time.

 

[MCMunroe]

Yes, you are looking for the media creation tool from Microsoft.
Make sure your BIOS has the hard drives configured the way you want before installing windows (common mistake).
After making the Windows Media USB, boot from that on your new computer.
Install Windows.

 

[oli_ct]

1. You do NOT need Win 10 Pro

2. Any 'cheap' OS is almost certainly not valid. Win 10 Home below about £70 is not valid.

3. ANy licensed software from ebay is a bad idea. OS or otherwise.

4. You can install and run Win 10, and leave it Unactivated. $0.
There are some restrictions, but it runs just fine.
No customization of the desktop or taskbar, and a randomly appearing nag text at bottom right.
Install that, and run it until you fell like paying for the software you use.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Oh that's sick! Gunna give that a go.

So will I need to download it onto a memory stick and then have that inserted into my PC when I boot it up for the first time?

You download the MediaCreation tool to a currently working PC.
You use that to create a bootable USB.
Boot from that, and install on your system.
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

Note: This is not a "free" OS, but rather just Unactivated.
I have a long running WIn 10 installed in a VM, to see how long it actually runs.
Installed on Dec 8 2016. 467 days so for. Runs just like day 1. Of course, MS could cut that off at any time.

Yea I getcha, not a free OS but quite cool who have had it running for so long!

One question, could I download it to a workable MAC rather than PC?

 

[oli_ct]

Yes, you are looking for the media creation tool from Microsoft.
Make sure your BIOS has the hard drives configured the way you want before installing windows (common mistake).
After making the Windows Media USB, boot from that on your new computer.
Install Windows.

Thank you! sorry if it is a stupid question, but what is my BIOS?

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, you are looking for the media creation tool from Microsoft.
Make sure your BIOS has the hard drives configured the way you want before installing windows (common mistake).
After making the Windows Media USB, boot from that on your new computer.
Install Windows.

Thank you! sorry if it is a stupid question, but what is my BIOS?

BIOS.
The stuff you see on the screen before the OS boots up.
The firmware code in the motherboard, that does a LOT of stuff. Like the conversation between the CPU and the drives and the GPU.


When you install the OS, have only ONE drive connected.

 

[USAFRet]

Yea I getcha, not a free OS but quite cool who have had it running for so long!

One question, could I download it to a workable MAC rather than PC?

I'm sure there is a way, but not being a Mac person, I am unsure of the exact procedure and tools.

 

[madmatt30]

From a mac
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.windowscentral.com/how-create-windows-10-installer-usb-drive-mac%3famp

Fairly straightforwards.

Bear in mind the flash drive will be blanked & made bootable .

You can reformat it back for normal use once youve done the inatallation from it.

 

[oli_ct]

Yea I getcha, not a free OS but quite cool who have had it running for so long!

One question, could I download it to a workable MAC rather than PC?

I'm sure there is a way, but not being a Mac person, I am unsure of the exact procedure and tools.

Thank you for all your help!

 

[oli_ct]

Yes, you are looking for the media creation tool from Microsoft.
Make sure your BIOS has the hard drives configured the way you want before installing windows (common mistake).
After making the Windows Media USB, boot from that on your new computer.
Install Windows.

Thank you! sorry if it is a stupid question, but what is my BIOS?

BIOS.
The stuff you see on the screen before the OS boots up.
The firmware code in the motherboard, that does a LOT of stuff. Like the conversation between the CPU and the drives and the GPU.


When you install the OS, have only ONE drive connected.

Ahh I get you, I will be very careful at the start.. and make sure I just use the one USB!

Thank you for all your help!

 

[oli_ct]

From a mac
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.windowscentral.com/how-create-windows-10-installer-usb-drive-mac%3famp

Fairly straightforwards.

Bear in mind the flash drive will be blanked & made bootable .

You can reformat it back for normal use once youve done the inatallation from it.

Amazing! Thank you for linking that, and giving me a solution so quickly!