You can still obtain Win10 for free after the update, even if your hard drive failed.
You can still obtain Win10 for free after the update, even if your hard drive failed.
As @SpookyCitrus mentioned, in the worst case you might have a Windows 10 installation that hasn’t been activated at all and it will still function perfectly. Just install Windows 10 and observe the outcome. It could activate itself, or you can enter your old Windows 7 activation code if you have one. Either way, leaving it unactivated isn’t harmful.
Installing Windows 10 is straightforward. Begin by installing it on the designated screen and choose "I don't have one" when prompted (the Win7 key won't apply here). The setup process will continue. After installation, ensure you're online, check for updates, and restart. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Activation to confirm activation. If you used a local account instead of a Microsoft-linked one, avoid modifying hardware apart from the faulty drive. When the Activation panel appears in Settings, use a Windows 7 product key to complete activation. If activation still fails, reach out to support via the chat feature in the "Get Help" app for further assistance.