Reinstalling Windows. Simple question.

[Nemoh88]

Hi guys. Sorry that this may be a silly question but I've always struggled grasping installing/uninstalling Windows. Basically I am getting a new motherboard tomorrow and I have a retail version of Windows I need to reinstall. Just wondering how I deactivate my key and uninstall Windows so I can reinstall it so it works with the new mobo. I'll be installing on the same ssd so do I simply run the key remover thingy and then when it wants to reinstall just go over the same partition to overwrite it? I dunno. Thanks for any help lol

[ProjectBox153]

If the key is linked to your Microsoft account it should reactivate automatically, I think. 

[Nemoh88]

4 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

If the key is linked to your Microsoft account it should reactivate automatically, I think. 

I thought it asked for the key at Windows setup before you put your account on? I'm not sure.

[RadiatingLight]

1 minute ago, Nemoh88 said:

I thought it asked for the key at Windows setup before you put your account on? I'm not sure.

it does, but there's also an option that says "I don't have a key" which is basically "I will activate this product later"

[RadiatingLight]

You just skip the key entry at the beginning, then when you activate it later (while in the OS), it prompts you to either buy a new key, or deactivate the old motherboard.

[Nemoh88]

Just now, RadiatingLight said:

it does, but there's also an option that says "I don't have a key" which is basically "I will activate this product later"

Oh, so then I just add my account and voila? Sweet. What about reinstalling it on a drive that already has Windows on it? Will it just overwrite?

[Nemoh88]

Just now, RadiatingLight said:

You just skip the key entry at the beginning, then when you activate it later (while in the OS), it prompts you to either buy a new key, or deactivate the old motherboard.

Ah awesome.

[RadiatingLight]

1 minute ago, Nemoh88 said:

Oh, so then I just add my account and voila? Sweet. What about reinstalling it on a drive that already has Windows on it? Will it just overwrite?

No, it won't overwrite. AFAIK it will refuse to install windows on a drive that already has windows on it. you'll have to wipe the drive first (which can be done through the windows install utility)

[Nemoh88]

Just now, RadiatingLight said:

No, it won't overwrite. AFAIK it will refuse to install windows on a drive that already has windows on it. you'll have to wipe the drive first (which can be done through the windows install utility)

Ah awesome. Thank you!

[Enderman]

1) if you are not changing the motherboard, it will activate itself automatically. You do not need to do anything with a key, it won't even ask you for it.

 

2) if you are changing motherboard, such as moving to a new PC, you do this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

[Enderman]

And this is how you clean install windows btw:

https://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/

 

When you get to this step just delete everything and click next.

[Nemoh88]

1 hour ago, Enderman said:

And this is how you clean install windows btw:

https://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/

 

When you get to this step just delete everything and click next.

Is that when setting up Windows I assume?

[Enderman]

7 hours ago, Nemoh88 said:

Is that when setting up Windows I assume?

Yes, look at the link I posted.