Reinstalling Windows 10

[Ron Duke]

My Windows 10 version was acquired by means of the free upgrade that MS offered when 10 was first introduced. This was, for me, done by download from MS's website.

How does a person re-install Win 10 without a disc of the original copy?

[handrawn]

go here Ron :

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...load/windows10

you can create your own usb/DVD - use the media creation tool option [download it and run in your windows 10 - use option to create media to install on another PC, that way you get an install/reinstall usb/DVD rather than just an upgrade]

any problems come back here and ask

EDITED TO FIX LINK [sorry MS site changed pages on me]

[handrawn]

oh and don't worry about where it says:

A Windows 10 product key if you are installing it for the first time or if your PC did not have Windows 10 pre-installed by the PC manufacturer

your original MS upgrade will qualify as pre-installed

[Rik]

I take it, that link allows you to install Windows 10 on a PC that already had an activated version of Windows 10?

EDIT: OK, I've read the information on the page and it tell you when and how you can use it.

[Fin]

As of a couple of weeks ago--and I think still--you can download from Microsoft a free and legit copy of Windows 10. This link to CNET explains the procedure: https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-...tive-features/

Microsoft allows people who use the special needs aspects of Windows to download for free. Let your conscience be your guide.

[handrawn]

what you do is:

a] download the windows media creation tool
b] run it in your windows - lets say windows 10 home
c] you then have two options - either you just let it update your version of windows to the latest version; or you tell it to create media [ie usb/dvd] to install on another pc in which case it will create the media with the latest version of your windows
d] you use the created media as a normal installation usb/dvd

in the case of windows editions up to 8.1 you need a licence key to do this

in the case of windows 10, provided your computer has been activated once already, either by manufacturer or by the free upgrade to windows 10, you don't - this is because windows 10 activation works differently

see here for more info: http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-...ll-windows-10/

When you install and activate Windows 10 on a system for the first time, the installer confirms that you have a “genuine Windows” system installed and registers your hardware with Microsoft’s servers. After that, you shouldn’t have to enter that key again on the same PC–Microsoft will recognize your hardware the next time you install Windows 10 on that machine, confirm it’s registered, and automatically activate itself.

[handrawn]

Fin - ok for those still running 7/8/8.1 - Ron is already running 10

[handrawn]

mind you. that said if he wants to preserve bundled software, ....... could be