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Attempting a new pc build

TrevorG
By TrevorG
in Windows
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Hello! I recently built a computer and tried to get my copy of windows 10 off of the old desktop. So I cloned the hard drive from the old PC and put it onto my new pc. After hours of troubleshooting, I am at the point where I can install a fresh copy of windows 8.1 onto the computer or attempt to reset my PC but it isn't working for some reason. Is there any way I can somehow unlock the reset and get a fresh copy of windows 10 instead of having to download 8.1? Thanks!

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1 minute ago, ImperialSteele said:

Sorry I don't quite understand what you're asking, are you trying to get help reinstalling Windows, or trying to upgrade your Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free?

When I originally got my old I got the free upgrade from 8.1 to 10 it was perfect. Then today I built a new pc and mirrored my old pc's hard drive onto my new pc's SSD. I have windows 10 installed onto a drive but obviously it won't run out of the box because I am using a different motherboard. I was curious to if there was a way for me to wipe the copy of windows 10 and magically make it run on a new board, or if I will have to install a fresh copy of windows 8.1 onto my computer instead. Sorry if I am not doing a good job at explaining this, as it is rather hard to do so.

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Okay, I think I understand. So yes, as you said with a different MoBo the version is no longer magicly bound to the PC. You would need the serial number still, even for 8.1 to work on the new machine. 

3 minutes ago, TrevorG said:

I was curious to if there was a way for me to wipe the copy of windows 10 and magically make it run on a new board, or if I will have to install a fresh copy of windows 8.1 onto my computer instead.

If you reinstall 8.1 you may be able to still take advantage of the upgrade, since your copy of 8.1 did before the offer expired.

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Just now, ImperialSteele said:

Okay, I think I understand. So yes, as you said with a different MoBo the version is no longer magicly bound to the PC. You would need the serial number still, even for 8.1 to work on the new machine. 

If you reinstall 8.1 you may be able to still take advantage of the upgrade, since your copy of 8.1 did before the offer expired.

Okay, ill give that a shot

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Not quite sure, there may be an existing Microsoft support thread on the subject, or (if possible) simple trial and error could be an option. You will be able to boot to Win 10 installation media and attempt to enter the serial number before the actual installation (or formatting of drive) begins.

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32 minutes ago, ImperialSteele said:

If you reinstall 8.1 you may be able to still take advantage of the upgrade, since your copy of 8.1 did before the offer expired.

Nope, you won't.

 

 

 

@OP do the disability upgrade and upgrade.

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1 hour ago, TrevorG said:

Snip

What you're having issues with is authenticating your windows 10 license on your new PC, correct?

 

The easiest way to do this, IMO, is to link your windows key to a microsoft account (if you have an xbox live account or some outlook email address or something similar then you can use that). then when you install windows on the new PC, sign in with the account and authorize the new PC to use that key and you're golden.

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16 hours ago, Zyndo said:

What you're having issues with is authenticating your windows 10 license on your new PC, correct?

 

The easiest way to do this, IMO, is to link your windows key to a microsoft account (if you have an xbox live account or some outlook email address or something similar then you can use that). then when you install windows on the new PC, sign in with the account and authorize the new PC to use that key and you're golden.

Its fine, My windows key worked as a windows 10 key so I have windows 10 downloading as I type.

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