Delete everything and reinstall onto SSD

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qpACEqp

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Dec 16, 2014
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So I recently bought an SSD and I want to delete everything on my current HDD and then install windows onto my SSD. I am not sure how to do this. I am running windows 10 that I downloaded from Microsoft so I do not have an install disk.
 
Solution
CountMike
ISO you can download from MS site, safest place and they'll gladly give it to you. You don't have to deactivate anything since it's going to same MB. If That W10 you run now is activated all you have to do is to start installation and skip entering reg numbers, it will activate automatically as soon as you enter your MS (Hotmail) account.
Just make sure you download sameW10 version (Home, Pro, Language, 64bit, 32 bit.) as you use now.
When you connect your old HDD and if you don't have anything you want to keep on it, it would be best to go to disk management (run > diskmgmt.msc) and delete all the partitions on it (because there will be several not needed any more) and make a new partition formatted to NTFS. That way you have totally...
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Q

qpACEqp

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Dec 16, 2014
14
0
18,510


Gotchu. I think I can download the ISO. Would I have to deactivate Windows 10 on my HDD before I install it on the SSD? Also, to delete everything on the HDD do I just reformat it or is there a better way?
 
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CountMike

CountMike

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Oct 31, 2015
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ISO you can download from MS site, safest place and they'll gladly give it to you. You don't have to deactivate anything since it's going to same MB. If That W10 you run now is activated all you have to do is to start installation and skip entering reg numbers, it will activate automatically as soon as you enter your MS (Hotmail) account.
Just make sure you download sameW10 version (Home, Pro, Language, 64bit, 32 bit.) as you use now.
When you connect your old HDD and if you don't have anything you want to keep on it, it would be best to go to disk management (run > diskmgmt.msc) and delete all the partitions on it (because there will be several not needed any more) and make a new partition formatted to NTFS. That way you have totally clean disk you can store anything you want on.
You can also use something like this: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/active_partition_manager.html to have better look at disk and do that partitioning easier.
 
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Q

qpACEqp

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Dec 16, 2014
14
0
18,510


That makes sense, but, I am changing my motherboard, actually. What do I do then?
 
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Q

qpACEqp

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Dec 16, 2014
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18,510


Yeah I have a license for windows 8. I can probably find it with magical jelly bean key finder.
 
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Q

qpACEqp

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Dec 16, 2014
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Do I have to install Windows 8 and then upgrade, or can I use the Windows 10 install USB and enter in the product key I have on my computer right now?
 
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CountMike

CountMike

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Oct 31, 2015
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147,990
Yes, you can do clean install of W10 using that license, no need to upgrade over W8. During installation it will ask you for key, you enter it and that's it. Just download latest W10 ISO, use Rufus to make bootable USB from that ISO. As straight forward as any other Windows.
 
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Q

qpACEqp

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Dec 16, 2014
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18,510


Thanks!
 
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