Reformatting later today...best way to (re)install 10?

[Sulaco]

Hey gang,

So using the computer in my signature, I've decided to just wipe my SSD/HDD and start clean.

The system was built in 2014 with an OEM copy of Windows 8.1 (DVD). Last year, I upgraded to 10.
For a brand new, fresh install, what is the best/most efficient way to install Win 10 for this purpose? Do I just install 8.1 and then immediately upgrade? Is it an automatic update? Anything I should do now on my current install to get ready or make it easier?

Thanks a ton!

 

[Dahak]

Grab the media creation tool, https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

make a usb drive and boot and install from that.

As you did the upgrade and it was activated, it should automatically re-activate it self as the digital entitlement is in the cloud

 

[Sulaco]

Grab the media creation tool, https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

make a usb drive and boot and install from that.

As you did the upgrade and it was activated, it should automatically re-activate it self as the digital entitlement is in the cloud

Thanks for the response.

So when prompted to input my Key during installation of 10 off of the USB, the key included with my copy of 8.1 will activate it just fine?
Thanks!

 

[nerp]

You don't even need to enter the key. MS has given your machine a lifetime digital entitlement because it was already upgraded. Just install, skip the key step and say you don't have a key in the installer. Just let it install and once it's online it will automatically activate.

Couldn't be easier.

 

[Sulaco]

You don't even need to enter the key. MS has given your machine a lifetime digital entitlement because it was already upgraded. Just install, skip the key step and say you don't have a key in the installer. Just let it install and once it's online it will automatically activate.

Couldn't be easier.

Ah very helpful. Thanks a lot!

 

[Puffnstuff]

Also if you have a uefi bios be sure to go into the bios and set your boot device to the uefi listing so it will install windows in uefi mode. I would recommend that you delete all partitions on the boot drive and allow the installer to partition it accordingly. All you have to do is select the unallocated space shown in the install to window and click on next.

 

[Sulaco]

Ok so I reformatted and Windows 10 installed fine. I did not enter an activation key at setup and instead opted to let it automatically update as per the advice above.

However, I get an error saying "We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital license or product key", and then tells me to go to the store and buy one.

Wtf? I even tried inputting my Windows 8.1 key and that fails as well. Am I screwed? What the hell went wrong??

 

[pcgeek11]

Are you sure the upgrade to 10 was activated before?

Call Microsoft.

 

[Sulaco]

Are you sure the upgrade to 10 was activated before?

Call Microsoft.

I think I got it figured out.

I was under the impression I had Windows 8.1 PRO, and therefore I had upgraded to Win 10 PRO.

However, on a hunch I went back and told setup I was running 10 Home and it seems to have activated fine on first boot.

Airhead moment on my part for sure, but I could have sworn I had a copy of Win 8.1 pro.

Oh well, seems to be working fine now

 

[nerp]

Makes sense.