I want to upgrade my laptop to Windows 10.
This can still be done free of charge using the Media Creation Tool, but I want a clean reinstallation because the computer is clogged and no longer runs correctly. However, I don't want to have to buy a new key for this.
What do I have to do?
Create Windows 10 installation media
Install Windows 10
Enter the Windows 7 key for activation
Maybe to supplement:
Reinstalling or upgrading is not a fix.
It is rather a destruction of system logs.
If the PC is malfunctioning, a look at the event viewer is appropriate and an analysis of what causes the error. Otherwise you often get from the rain to the eaves.
Thanks for the answer
What if I no longer have the key? You can only read out a sequence of numbers, but it doesn't look like the key
Thank you. Since Windows 7 expires anyway, Windows 10 has to be on it anyway. You can already use it, just crashes often
Maybe it was a bit misleading. 😉
Of course that makes upgarde sense.
But you should first check the error logs (event viewer) before the upgrade so that you even know what's going on.
Should z. B. If a hardware component is defective, you will not be able to fix the error with the upgrade.
I already have. But the key that is required looks like this "XXXXX-XXXXX-etc and contains letters.
The key that I read out consists only of numbers and does not fit in the gaps
Googling a bit, there are legal, free programs that can read the key cleanly for you. And yes, a pure sequence of numbers is strange, it should be a mix of numbers and letters with 5 fields of 5 characters each, with a hyphen between.
Thanks for the tip
And so far is Windows 7 on it?
Okay then I'll look again, thanks
Yes exactly. Should start with the new installation but you will be asked for the key.
https://www.heise.de/...51200.html
If this does not work → you will probably have to buy a new key.
Then I'll test it with the tool later.
Here's how it works:
Read out the Windows 7 product key with this tool https://www.chip.de/...63752.html. Then write this down.
Then you go to the Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool. You can use it to create a Windows 10 USB boot stick. You need an empty formatted USB stick.
After you have created the stick, simply boot this stick and follow the instructions of the installer. It offers the possibility to completely erase the hard disk. You should do that. The system is restarted several times during the installation.
After completing the installation and starting Windows 10 for the first time, the setup wizard appears. It offers the possibility to create a Microsoft account. You should do this if you don't already have one. Otherwise, log in with your existing Microsoft account.
Finally activate Windows 10 with the noted Windows 7 product key. The activation will then be saved permanently in your Microsoft account.
The last step is to go to the manufacturer page of your PC or laptop. Download and install the drivers there.
If you have to reinstall Windows 10, simply log in again with your Microsoft account. Windows 10 will then be reactivated automatically. You no longer have to enter the key.
Thanks for your detailed explanation!
I did it that way, but the key I read doesn't work. Should I contact Microsoft?
Then you have to do it like this: https://www.computerbild.de/...48619.html If that doesn't work either, Microsoft has switched off the free upgrade. Then you still have the option to install a Linux distribution as an alternative. For example Linux Mint. This is easy to install even for laypeople. Here is the download: https://linuxmint.com/...xmint.com/ I recommend the xfce edition. It even runs faster than Windows and only requires about half of the system resources.
Okay thanks!
