[Windows 10 Retail USB Stick] How do I reinstall to a new SSD? Do i need to deactivate my current install first?

[kingneptune117]

Hey all,

I currently have Windows 10 installed on my current SSD. I installed Windows 10 by using the retail Microsoft Windows 10 USB stick, so I have a physical key code.

I am going to be getting a new SSD, and I would like to do a fresh install of Windows 10 on it using the Microsoft USB stick.

My predicament is that since i already have this Windows 10 installed, will I be able to activate it on the SSD with the same code? I plan on first fully formatting the old SSD using the formatting tool in the Windows 10 installer. When I format this way does it let Microsoft know the product key is no longer in use, thus allowing me to use it on my new install?

What is the proper way to make sure my product key will successfully activate on my new install?

Thanks.

 

[SkyNetRising]

What is the proper way to make sure my product key will successfully activate on my new install?

Remove the old SSD from system and all the other HDDs/SSDs (if you have any).
Install new SSD.
Boot from installation media and install windows onto new SSD (when asked for installation key, skip it).
Windows should activate automatically. If it doesn't, you can activate it from windows settings app.

 

[dark_lord69]

"will I be able to activate it on the SSD with the same code?"
yes

"When I format this way does it let Microsoft know the product key is no longer in use, thus allowing me to use it on my new install?"
No, Microsoft keeps a fingerprint of the hardware in your PC. So if you format (using any utility) it will still be able to see the same/similar hardware and it will activate without issues.

"What is the proper way to make sure my product key will successfully activate on my new install?"
Microsoft has made it easy with windows 10 and the answer is, just install it and give it up to 3 days to automatically activate.

 

[Rookie_MIB]

It shouldn't be a problem since (not surprisingly) hard drive failure is something that MS planned for. As long as you have an activated W10 on the particular hardware, and you registered via a MS tied account then the MS servers will have your activation key on their servers. So - the next time you log in, your new install will compare hardware configurations against the server when it goes online and automagically activate.

I had a similar problem with my sisters laptop. She had a regular HDD in her cheapo laptop, managed to spill liquids into it, started fritzing out. I could pull a lot of her data off but had to replace the hdd with a SSD and reinstall W10. Put it in, installed off the W10 ISO I dl'd off the microsoft site, logged in and she was all activated and good to go.