Putting windows 10 on an SSD without a product key

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

Tald_4__

Prominent
Feb 27, 2017
5
0
510
I know there are many forums on here asking similar questions about the same topic. So I am sorry if this seems repetitive.
I have a 1 tb HDD that has around 500 gbs on it and I recently bought a 450 gb PNY SSD. I originally wanted to migrate W10 to the ssd but I found that that was not worth it and that a fresh copy of windows was a better idea. Although I could delete some stuff and fit everything onto the SSD I don't want to fill it up completely, I want to put just my OS and a couple of games and apps etc. on it that I use the most. My problem that I can't seem to find an answer to is that although I have a legitimate version of Windows 10 I don't have a product key (or at least I don't know how to find it) because I didn't pay for it, I got the upgrade to Windows 10 free. I would rather not have to pay for it.
Lastly how do I go about actually getting Windows 10 onto the SSD? Can I use a DVD to boot it, if so how?
I appreciate any response I get and I apologize again if there is already an answer to this question.
Thanks
 
Solution
mjslakeridge
Beginning with Windows 10, your product key is stored on the computer's BIOS chip. You can go to the Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool and save it to your desktop. Follow the instructions from Microsoft to create the installation media on a blank DVD or a usb flash drive at least 4GB. Use an empty usb flash drive as the process will erase everything on it if it is not empty.

You do have a product key, just not like previous versions of Windows. When you are ready to install Windows onto your new SSD, disconnect all other storage devices and connect the new SSD to the sata port where the current HDD with Windows is connected. You may have to go into the BIOS to specify the DVD drive or USB flash drive as the...
Sort by date Sort by votes
mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

Splendid
Mar 6, 2013
3,386
4
21,965
Beginning with Windows 10, your product key is stored on the computer's BIOS chip. You can go to the Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool and save it to your desktop. Follow the instructions from Microsoft to create the installation media on a blank DVD or a usb flash drive at least 4GB. Use an empty usb flash drive as the process will erase everything on it if it is not empty.

You do have a product key, just not like previous versions of Windows. When you are ready to install Windows onto your new SSD, disconnect all other storage devices and connect the new SSD to the sata port where the current HDD with Windows is connected. You may have to go into the BIOS to specify the DVD drive or USB flash drive as the first boot device.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
slingsrat

slingsrat

Honorable
May 31, 2016
222
4
10,765
When you installed the original, legitimate copy of windows 10, it created a hash unique to your computer and stores it with microsoft. When you go to install windows 10 again, Microsoft checks that your specific computer has a valid product key, which your one should presuming your original windows 7 was legitimate. Be aware that if you change too much hardware your unique hash can change and be seen as a new computer by Microsoft.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom