Windows 10 has finished setting up itself. What a surprise.
Windows 10 has finished setting up itself. What a surprise.
Navigate to Windows settings and find the choice to return to version 8.1.
Windows 10 is already set up. It’s helpful because it means you don’t need to start from scratch with a clean installation.
For a brand new setup just download the media creation tool, build an installer from your USB drive, and start from there. Also, get comfortable with the process. If a patch is available for Windows 10 on version 10, you can schedule it for a few hours ahead, and then it will automatically apply the update no matter when you choose to do it. Windows 10 has a tendency to be quite independent.
When opting for a fresh installation, you can either apply your Windows 7/8/8.1 activation key or perform a complete reset and then upgrade to Windows 10.
I'm unsure about the BIOS storage for the key. It seems your device might be old enough to include this feature, or it could come pre-installed on newer laptops.
Microsoft already has your motherboard and CPU serial numbers recorded as a valid setup. You can proceed with installation without needing the serial number. Once the system starts, it will reach out to Microsoft and confirm the valid installation, after which it will activate automatically.