Installing a new system with ransomware attached.
Installing a new system with ransomware attached.
Hey, your parents' device has ransomware and they're planning a fresh setup. They purchased it at Costco, and you have the product key.
Certainly, as long as it's the same Windows version, they likely have Windows 10 Home 64-bit installed. Installing Windows 10 Home 64-bit should make it work.
It’s unlikely you’ll succeed without removing the partitions and beginning fresh to remove the malware.
Unless OP is certain the ransomware isn’t present on the factory recovery partition, it’s likely infected already. Once any malware is detected, complete safety isn’t guaranteed—full disk formatting and reinstallation are usually necessary for removal. This experience taught me the importance of thorough cleanup before attempting repairs, especially when dealing with infected retail equipment.