I deleted Windows 10 for a Linux OS - now I want Windows 10 back.

[OptionsOptionsOptions]

• I bought an off-the-shelf Acer computer from Best Buy a few years ago and replaced Windows 10 with a Linux OS.
• Now I want to replace the Linux OS with Windows 10.
• I assume I still have a license for Windows 10 on this machine.
  
• I have no receipts for the computer.

Is there a way to accomplish this?

 

[Overnight]

• I bought an off-the-shelf Acer computer from Best Buy a few years ago and replaced Windows 10 with a Linux OS.
• Now I want to replace the Linux OS with Windows 10.
• I assume I still have a license for Windows 10 on this machine.
  
• I have no receipts for the computer.

Is there a way to accomplish this?

EDIT: It's a

Your BIOS might point to a hidden "Win10 recovery partition" on it.

 

[ph1l]

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...er-linux/d9042340-0c30-4402-bef6-8c5484f4fb5c

Reinstalling Windows after Linux.
I switched to Ubuntu. Gasp ! Because I found Windows cluttered and closed off but need it for work/stuff. I have a 64bit Windows 10 ISO from here.

Can I use my own Product Key to install in VM or even Reinstall ?

Sidenote - It's still the same PC.





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Replies (2) 

HairyFool

• Independent Advisor

Reinstalling Windows 10 on a computer that was supplied preinstalled is relatively simple because the key is embedded into the BIOS. Just install Windows, skip over the option to enter the key and it should pick up the BIOS key once setup completes.



Using the OEM key in a VM will be problematic because the virtual hardware is different from the physical. You can only use that key on the same computer.



There is a caveat to "simple". Linux can leave the hard disk in a condition that is difficult to clean off to allow Windows setup to see the disk as usable.





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Andre Da Costa

• MVP
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• Article Author

When you upgraded from a previous version of Windows or receive a new computer preinstalled with Windows 10, what happened is the hardware (your PC) will get a digital entitlement, where a unique signature of the computer will be stored on Microsoft Activation Servers. The Windows 7 or Windows 8 genuine license you were previously running will be exchanged for a diagnostics key.

Anytime you need to reinstall Windows 10 on that machine, just proceed to reinstall Windows 10. It will automatically reactivate.

So, there is no need to know or get a product key, if you need to reinstall Windows 10, you can use your Windows 7 or Windows 8 product key or use the reset function in Windows 10.

If you are prompted to enter a product key, click 'I don't have a key' and 'Do this later'



Step 1: How to download official Windows 10 ISO files



Step 2: How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10

Best,
Andre
Windows Insider MVP
MVP-Windows and Devices for IT
twitter/adacosta
groovypost.com






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[ET180]

Your BIOS might point to a hidden "Win10 recovery partition" on it.

Unless the linux installation gave him the option to wipe the entire hard drive and reparition it. A while ago, I think I downloaded a copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft and was able to install it (clean install) on a laptop that came with Windows 8.1 installed. I don't recall the details, but I think MS recognized the computer and did not prompt me for a product key.

 

[xandman]

There may be a Microsoft COA sticker on your computer. It has a Product Key.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mic...jt1kKHS19Dy4Q_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=2048&bih=1014

 

[DiceAreCast]

Windows 10 does not really work with product keys anymore nowadays. When you login with your Microsoft account windows checks whether a hardware harsh is stored in the Microsoft account. If yes then windows gets automatically activated. So if the hardware has not changed then most likely that's the way to use an existing license even if you don't have the key itself anymore. If the key was an OEM key then you are out of luck as that's not tied to a user account but to a machine itself.

 

[themickey]

Innocent query, what for do you want Windows 10 again?

 

[Pekelo]

Innocent query, what for do you want Windows 10 again?

To run Solitaire on it.

Microsoft's free upgrade offer for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users ended a few years ago, but you can still technically upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge. ... Assuming your PC supports the minimum requirements for Windows 10, you'll be able to upgrade from Microsoft's site. Jan 14, 2020

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-download-windows-10-for-free-now-that-windows-7-is-dead/

 

[themickey]

To run Solitaire on it.....

Hmmmm, thanks, somehow that reminded me, tomorrow I must buy a new pair of jeans.

 

[guest_trader_1]

Just wanted to say that after running Linux on VmWare for years I recently moved to Kbuntu 20.04 on the host. It is an incredible piece of work and I don't miss anything from Windows.