Windows 10 reset

[kevin_999]

So if I am to put windows 10 on my laptop from bootable flash drive. Can I do it without paying for the copy? My laptop came with a genuine windows 10 but some files refused to delete so I want back a genuine copy.

 

[Colif]

Yes. Once win 10 has been on a PC, you can always reinstall it again (unless you move licence but we won't worry about that here). No need to buy it again.

what you are planning to do isn't a reset, its a fresh install. You can run a reset off the installer if you want to though, it won't ask for licence at all. A full install will but you don't need to know the key anymore as Microsoft have it stored on their servers alongside details of your PC. They track that for you now.

I will show how to either a reset or fresh install

Reset:
change boot order so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose Reset this PC
2 choices here:
a) Keep files and settings - Files they save are contents of any library folders you use,. like documents, music, pictures, movies. Settings include user names and desktop
b) wipe it all. returns Win 10 to how it is when new
Both will remove all programs and only effect C drive, so if you have multiple hdd, the others will be left alone.
Either choice, PC will restart and reinstall windows 10 as new.

Fresh Install:
change boot order in BIOS so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
follow this guide: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

when you reach the screen asking for licence, click "I don't have a key" and win 10 will continue to install and reactivate once finished

On the screen where you choose where to install win 10, if it gives you an error about GPT drives, delete all the partitions on the hdd and press next. If it still gives error, cancel out of the installer and restart PC and start installer again, it will accept next on that screen this time (some PC just need a restart here)