Reinstalling Windows 10

[mefire66]

So I've had windows installed on 2x Corsair Force GT 90gb SSDs in raid 0 for a couple of years now. I'm a bit concerned about one of the drives failing and I've been planning on reinstalling windows onto these drives in raid 1. Problem is that I only have a windows 8.1 install disk, and Microsoft's free period for windows 10 is over. Is there anyway for me to reinstall windows 10 onto my raid 1 array without having to buy Windows 10? I apologies if this has been posted already, and I appreciate any help.

[zMeul]

you should be able to reinstall W10 without any issues, just make yourself a USB install drive wit W10 and use the W8.1 serial key

[bughtoo]

3 minutes ago, mefire66 said:

So I've had windows installed on 2x Corsair Force GT 90gb SSDs in raid 0 for a couple of years now. I'm a bit concerned about one of the drives failing and I've been planning on reinstalling windows onto these drives in raid 1. Problem is that I only have a windows 8.1 install disk, and Microsoft's free period for windows 10 is over. Is there anyway for me to reinstall windows 10 onto my raid 1 array without having to buy Windows 10? I apologies if this has been posted already, and I appreciate any help.

The only way is to use non-legal meassures OR OR OR OR buy for 20$ OEM windows 10 pro key and you have windows 10 pro full version  

[mefire66]

2 minutes ago, zMeul said:

you should be able to reinstall W10 without any issues, just make yourself a USB install drive wit W10 and use the W8.1 serial key

I'll give this a try, and thanks for the help  

[Donut417]

On 9/26/2016 at 9:32 AM, zMeul said:

you should be able to reinstall W10 without any issues, just make yourself a USB install drive wit W10 and use the W8.1 serial key

Actually its simpler than that. There is a good possibility as long as the OP is using the same hardware in terms of Motherboard. Windows 10 is likely to not need a product key. I have never had to put mine in during a reinstall. All I do is connect to the good old interwebs and windows Activates. Activates are stored on Microsoft's servers.  That assuming the Op's Windows 8.1 key was used in the free Windows 10 upgrade at one time. 

[zMeul]

1 minute ago, Donut417 said:

Actually its simpler than that. There is a good possibility as long as the OP is using the same hardware in terms of Motherboard. Windows 10 is likely to not need a product key. I have never had to put mine in during a reinstall. All I do is connect to the good old interwebs and windows Activates. Activates are stored on Microsoft's servers. 

as far as I recall that is only possible if you use a MS account

[Donut417]

7 minutes ago, zMeul said:

as far as I recall that is only possible if you use a MS account

Good to know. Because yeah, I use a Microsoft account. 

[mefire66]

Update:

So I managed to reinstall windows 10 on the new drives. Thanks for letting me know about the "windows key viewer". I did indeed get a different key than the Windows 8.1 key I had. Not sure how I would of managed only with my Windows 8.1 key. My PC works like a charm now, Can't thank you guys enough