Restarting Windows 7 or performing a clean installation to set up Windows 10
Restarting Windows 7 or performing a clean installation to set up Windows 10
I need a laptop to reinstall Windows 10 for someone who doesn’t have a license. I considered adding Windows 10 but wondered if the existing Windows 7 key would function properly. If not, I’m looking for steps to reset it while keeping the operating system intact.
Windows 7 is a Windows 7 license, not a Windows 10 one. You could upgrade from Windows 7/8/8.1 to Windows 10 for free only in the first year, according to what I know. The best option seems to be reinstalling Windows 7. When the installer asks you to pick a partition, there’s a button to format it. Then enter your existing product key during installation, and you should be ready to go. Finally, just reinstall the drivers for your hardware.
Typically, most OEMs include a recovery partition on the hard drive during Windows 7 installation. You should consult the manufacturer about using that partition. In some cases, it’s just a button to press at startup, offering options like refreshing the setup or completely erasing and rebuilding. If the partition is missing, contact the maker for a recovery disk or an OEM Windows installation media.