windows 10 codes

tbgjlb

My laptop came with windows 8 but then got free upgrades to 8.1 then 10
My issue now is I would like to make a clean reinstall on the laptop but cant find any reference to the windows 10 install code. where do I need to look for this.

thank you for any help

spud17

There is no longer a code, it's all done digitally.
When you upgraded to Win 10 your machine's 'fingerprint' was registered with Microsoft.
Install Win 10, look out for, and tick the option for 'I don't have a code' just continue and everything should be ok.
If you do find a code, it will be a generic one.

anotheruser

Or your Microsoft account.

If you've signed in with a @live, @outlook or @Hotmail account then the key will be registered to that address too.
Sign in when making a clean install and it'll pick up your key from before.

You can also use your old key, that will be accepted through the install fine.

aerostar

If you are doing a clean install eg wiping the original installation then you may well need the correct key.

I would suggest you do find the keys, if you download and run BELARC, it will give you lots of info about your computer and installation, plus the Windows 8 key and Windows 10 key, make a note of these just in case anything goes wrong, and you do get asked for the Windows key.

Alternative key retriever Nirsoft produkey.

Jivesinger

aerostar wrote: »

If you are doing a clean install eg wiping the original installation then you may well need the correct key.

I would suggest you do find the keys, if you download and run BELARC, it will give you lots of info about your computer and installation, plus the Windows 8 key and Windows 10 key, make a note of these just in case anything goes wrong, and you do get asked for the Windows key.

If you do this, you'll just get the same generic Windows 10 key (ending in H8Q99 for Windows 10 Home or 3V66T for Windows 10 Pro) which everyone else has.

The Windows 8 key will most likely be on the motherboard so any good key reader can read that at any time later. Also the Win 10 installer will see the Win8 key on the motherboard as well, so it will probably see that and not even ask for a product key.

By all means use a key reader for interest, but I wouldn't recommend you enter that generic Windows 10 key if the installer asked me - as mentioned above the best way is to skip that question if it's asked.

I'd also consider setting up the MS account as suggested though.

Jivesinger

anotheruser wrote: »

Or your Microsoft account.

If you've signed in with a @live, @outlook or @Hotmail account then the key will be registered to that address too.
Sign in when making a clean install and it'll pick up your key from before.

I think this works with any Microsoft Account, which can be any email address including @gmail etc.

tbgjlb

thanks for all the advice. I have a hotmail account which I'm sure is linked to this laptop so I hope it should be ok .

just one more thing. I have not done a clean install in many a year and I have yet to start looking around to find out what to do with regards a clean install but with windows 10 if I do a new install will it sort out all the drivers and stuff such as preinstalled monitors that came on the pc monitoring the fan, audio display etc etc etc.

flashg67

I've just installed windows 10 on some 6 year old ex corporate dell pc's that had a Win7 licence, using a win10.iso burned to a disc and it found the drivesr with no problem.

When I got to entering the key, I used the win7 COA from the machine and it validated fine, but there was the option to not enter a key which it then pkcs up from the previously registered details from the machine.

esuhl

Jivesinger wrote: »

If you do this, you'll just get the same generic Windows 10 key (ending in H8Q99 for Windows 10 Home or 3V66T for Windows 10 Pro) which everyone else has.

Not necessarily. Part-way through the "free upgrade" period, they allowed you to use valid Win7/8 licence keys to upgrade.

J_B

aerostar wrote: »

If you are doing a clean install eg wiping the original installation then you may well need the correct key.

I would suggest you do find the keys, if you download and run BELARC, it will give you lots of info about your computer and installation, plus the Windows 8 key and Windows 10 key, make a note of these just in case anything goes wrong, and you do get asked for the Windows key.

Alternative key retriever Nirsoft produkey.

Alternative key retriever
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Jivesinger

esuhl wrote: »

Not necessarily. Part-way through the "free upgrade" period, they allowed you to use valid Win7/8 licence keys to upgrade.

They did, but I'm not sure that converts the Win 7/8 key into a 'Windows 10 Key' as far as Microsoft and the keyfinding tools are concerned?