Begin with a clean setup of Windows.
Begin with a clean setup of Windows.
Hi everyone, I haven't performed a full Windows reinstall in a while—about two years now. I'm considering doing it today but have some concerns. - I prefer not to purchase a new license, but I noticed that installing it on an existing Windows disk should activate automatically. Does this imply the disk isn't being wiped entirely? Since I've used and removed several Linux versions, some leftover files remain in the boot partition, so I'd really like a clean slate. - Should I disconnect my other HDDs? - My games are on another HDD; will that cause any issues? Thanks!
Oh sorry it's Windows 10. I am a little worried also that it's not going to be activated after installation, since I don't know the product key and I am going by some article on windowscentral that says it'll just activate itself if you say you don't have a key and are running an activated copy of windows.
You can try updating the operating system, which will essentially bring it back to a clean setup. Just ensure you have a backup before proceeding. Ideally, you could keep your personal data during the refresh, but a backup is always wise if things go wrong.
That's correct! You can simply refresh the operating system without having to fully reinstall it, which keeps it active.
Based on what you mentioned, I confirmed there were no items I wanted to retain, yet I proceeded with the complete setup. It turned out the installation automatically enabled Windows. This was a really positive experience. Everything I needed was reinstalled quickly in the morning, and I feel great when starting my PC now. Thanks for your help!