The short version of a long story; Almost a newbie but not a complete dummy about computers (debatable sometimes)so......
Wanted to format and reinstall Windows 10 because I have, per Windows repair/renew, some corrupted files that are not repairable.
Looking around for my Windows 8 Pro, OEM software disk, from the people who assembled and tested my desktop(can I mention who they are?) I lost the disk somewhere in my computer room. They will not replace the disk, either me paying for or them sending a replacement disk. (I have the original OEM key)
Is it possible to get a download copy from Microsoft to use with my key? I did upgrade to Windows 10 when it became available.
_OR_ how can I recover from this without having to repurchase Windows 10 Pro. I am time constrained here also
Thanks, Ron
You can clean install either Windows 10 or Windows 8. If doing a clean install of Windows 10 make sure you are installing the same version/edition of Windows 10 you had before - probably just plain Windows 10 (NOT K, NOT KN, and NOT Single Language) and Pro. If it asks for a product key, just click whatever option is presented to skip entering it such as "I don't have a product key".
Windows 10 download:
Windows 10
Tech Bench
Windows 8 download:
Windows 8
My original install was "Microsoft Windows 8 Pro 64-bit operating system, Model: FQC-05956 OEM"
Does your reply still apply?
Thanks, RonYou can clean install either Windows 10 or Windows 8. If doing a clean install of Windows 10 make sure you are installing the same version/edition of Windows 10 you had before - probably just plain Windows 10 (NOT K, NOT KN, and NOT Single Language) and Pro. If it asks for a product key, just click whatever option is presented to skip entering it such as "I don't have a product key".
Windows 10 download:
Windows 10
Tech Bench
Windows 8 download:
Windows 8
Yes. Just plain Windows 10 is what you want to download. It will contain both home and pro versions. Pick Pro when it gives you the choice. Skip entering the product key when it asks for one.
Also where my current OS is supposedly corrupted beyond "repair" how do I get an OS on the SSD ? create a partition for the new version of the OS then wipe out the old? Can that be done?
Thanks, Ron
Can I Download to a USB stick then boot up from that?
Ron
To do a completely clean install of Windows, create a Windows 10 installation USB flash drive or DVD, boot the computer from it. Select the custom install option. If there are any partitions listed on the drive you want to install to, delete all of them. This will erase all data stored on that drive! Then just pick the unallocated space and click next to install Windows to it.
I got lost, don't know where I ended up, or how I got there. Ended up doing an install while saving my files(clean, I think). Still got hung up at the end with that twirling circle of little balls that didn't want to stop, so after a couple hours I shut the computer off.To do a completely clean install of Windows, create a Windows 10 installation USB flash drive or DVD, boot the computer from it. Select the custom install option. If there are any partitions listed on the drive you want to install to, delete all of them. This will erase all data stored on that drive! Then just pick the unallocated space and click next to install Windows to it.
Started it up again, seems to be ok, appears that I saved my copy of Windows 10 without loosing much stuff.
Seems like windows 10 likes to send you places you may or may not want to go???
Anyway, I did use some of the info you gave me and ended up with a usable OS.
Thank you, Ron
