General Windows install/purchase question

[clive89268]

Slowly getting my parts, but I was wondering what the best way to get windows is? Obviously, I need to buy it, but don’t just buy windows 10 or 11, download to a flash drive…and then what? Never done this before, so basic knowledge is appreciated. 

[TubsAlwaysWins]

Just now, clive89268 said:

Slowly getting my parts, but I was wondering what the best way to get windows is? Obviously, I need to buy it, but don’t just buy windows 10 or 11, download to a flash drive…and then what? Never done this before, so basic knowledge is appreciated. 

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation tool here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Download the Windows 11 Media Creation tool here: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

 

Plug a 16GB usb stick into your computer and run the downloaded file. It should walk you through everything. You want to create media, not update your current install. Wait for it to finish and then slap the USB drive into the new PC. Press whatever key does the boot menu after you hit the power button, and choose your USB stick from the list. Should be able to follow the prompts from there.

 

IMO i would get a windows 10 key (unless you have one you can re-use), because it will work on Windows 11 as well. 

[Needfuldoer]

2 minutes ago, clive89268 said:

Slowly getting my parts, but I was wondering what the best way to get windows is? Obviously, I need to buy it, but don’t just buy windows 10 or 11, download to a flash drive…and then what? Never done this before, so basic knowledge is appreciated. 

Purchase a legitimate license from a known vendor. You'll get a Windows key either as an email or a physical sticker in a folder.

 

The Media Creation Tool will automatically erase a flash drive and copy all the Windows installation files onto it.

 

Then you boot your new computer up off that flash drive, and follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on your new SSD.

[Dedayog]

5 minutes ago, clive89268 said:

Slowly getting my parts, but I was wondering what the best way to get windows is? Obviously, I need to buy it, but don’t just buy windows 10 or 11, download to a flash drive…and then what? Never done this before, so basic knowledge is appreciated. 

No, you do NOT need to buy it.  Windows is available for install and you can choose not to activate.

 

Running unactivated doesn't slow your PC or negate and updates.  

 

Or you can get a key off Ebay or other sites.

[TubsAlwaysWins]

Just now, Dedayog said:

No, you do NOT need to buy it.  Windows is available for install and you can choose not to activate.

 

Running unactivated doesn't slow your PC or negate and updates.  

 

Or you can get a key off Ebay or other sites.

Yeah but the watermark is big poopoo.

IMO buy the cheapest laptop OP can and rip the key from it, or register an existing key from a computer already owned and use it for multiple PCs. Just dont do that if you are a business

[Gokul_P]

7 minutes ago, TubsAlwaysWins said:

Yeah but the watermark is big poopoo.

And cant change wallpaper and theme (Most personalization settings i believe) not natively atleast. 

[TubsAlwaysWins]

1 minute ago, Gokul_P said:

And cant change wallpaper and theme (Most personal settings i believe) not natively atleast. 

Yeah I just keep reusing keys I have. I probably have 1 key used on like 5 installs

[TubsAlwaysWins]

@clive89268

If you have an old PC laying around download and run this: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Your computer will flag it as malicious, so you will need to allow it. Should pull any product key off your system