windows activation

[stefanDB]

I am trying to fix an old laptop, it originally came with windows 8, which was then updated to windows 10. I reset the laptop to its factory settings in an attempt to solve some issues, but it didn't really help. now I want to do a clean install of windows 10 and format the harddrive, but I am not sure if windows 10 will be activated since the laptop went back to windows 8 when I reset it.

 

so can I do a clean windows 10 install and assume that it will be activated automatically, or is the key only valid for windows 8?

[TrigrH]

Just now, stefanDB said:

so can I do a clean windows 10 install and assume that it will be activated automatically

yes

[porina]

Make sure it is the same version type (e.g. home, pro) as the version that was activated and it should be fine.

[Donut417]

On 7/25/2017 at 6:50 AM, stefanDB said:

I am trying to fix an old laptop, it originally came with windows 8, which was then updated to windows 10. I reset the laptop to its factory settings in an attempt to solve some issues, but it didn't really help. now I want to do a clean install of windows 10 and format the harddrive, but I am not sure if windows 10 will be activated since the laptop went back to windows 8 when I reset it.

 

so can I do a clean windows 10 install and assume that it will be activated automatically, or is the key only valid for windows 8?

I know for a fact that if you signed in to a MS account on that machine. That your Windows 10 key and activation status is saved to the MS account. Meaning you need no product keys or anything.