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Windows 10 reinstall without COA?

dizmo
By dizmo
in Windows
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There used to be a Software sub forum but it doesn't seem to exist anymore, so I'll put this here.

 

I'm looking at buying a used computer, and the two that are my top runners both have Windows 10 that have been upgraded from older OS's. They no longer have the COA's for the older Windows copies.

Now, if I want to reinstall Windows 10, how would I go about doing it? Don't I need the COA, or how does it work now?

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https://linustechtips.com/topic/552603-windows-10-reinstall-without-coa/
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coa?

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btw this is where this topic should go: https://linustechtips.com/main/forum/10-operating-systems/

non-OS related software goes here: https://linustechtips.com/main/forum/87-programs-apps-and-websites/

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Microsoft says that when reinstalling Windows 10 on the same computer, no key is needed and the OS will activate itself automatically, and that's been true in my experience.

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7 minutes ago, Glenwing said:

Microsoft says that when reinstalling Windows 10 on the same computer, no key is needed and the OS will activate itself automatically, and that's been true in my experience.

this

 

and windows 7 and 8.1 keys can be used to activate windows 10.

 

 

 

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15 minutes ago, Enderman said:

coa?

Certificate of authenticity.

But yes, if you have an activated Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 on the computer, then reinstalling a Windows 10 will result in automatic activation.

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4 minutes ago, jj9987 said:

Certificate of authenticity.

But yes, if you have an activated Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 on the computer, then reinstalling a Windows 10 will result in automatic activation.

oh

we regular people call that a "key", or "activation key"

 

and no, youre actually wrong

windows 10 only automatically activated if windows 10 was previously installed (and activated) on that PC

so if youre using windows 7/8/8.1 and you clean install windows 10 you need to activate windows 10 with your old windows key

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