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#1 laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:31 am
by ed
feeling a bit stupid here as I should know the answer to this.....

I've got my eye on a used laptop, old I5 with win 10. I will put an ssd in as soon as I get it but how do I preserve the win 10 without having to buy a new ms operating system disc? I'm a bit out of touch windows wise cos every time I've done this in the past I've just put a new install of linux on.

deffo need the windows cos it's only to run one windows app.

#2 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:23 pm
by pre65
As far as I know the BIOS remembers the W10 code number so you just do a download from the Microsoft web site and authentication is automatic.

Good luck with all the updates. :lol:

PS My laptop came with a wiped disc and the above worked for me.

#3 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:46 pm
by simon
It escapes me for know what it's called but you can download a bit of software that tells you what your key is. Then you can download a fresh copy of the OS if you wish and stick in the key. Done it a few times.

#4 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:51 pm
by simon

#5 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:52 pm
by pre65
simon wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:46 pm It escapes me for know what it's called but you can download a bit of software that tells you what your key is. Then you can download a fresh copy of the OS if you wish and stick in the key. Done it a few times.
This may help if you really need the COA number.

http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/how-to/win ... y-3632749/

#6 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:55 pm
by simon
There's a good Tech Radar page but I can't link it from my phone (work's blocking all forums and blogs again)

#7 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 2:19 pm
by ed
thanks Simon, Phil

found the official ms iso file and instructions, the product key from your jelly bean link should do it....

#8 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:52 pm
by DSJR
My geriatric laptop almost predates Vista, so when I wanted Windows 7, I had to buy a licence for it (some cheaper ones come from scrapped computers and are perfectly valid and transferable). I did the free update from 7 to 10 and when I needed to reformat the drive and re-install Windows 10, the free software I'd used to 'rescue' the licence didn't work. When asked to activate Window 10, I put my Win 7 number in and it was accepted.

With any luck, your 'new' laptop will store the activation code in the BIO as discussed and there may be a licence sticker with said number on the bottom of the machine with luck.

#9 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 7:32 pm
by RushPCB
This may affect your data. Go through the guidelines, I hope this will help you.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/hel ... pgrade-faq

#10 Re: laptop upgrade

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:46 pm
by Neal
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessi ... s10upgrade

Only until Dec 31st 2017

You must already have Win7 or 8.1