Re Installing Windows 10 after a Free Upgrade from 8.1

[StormyIV]

A while back I re installed Windows 8.1 and it created a dual boot drive of Windows 8 and 8.1(except it would give me an error whenever I tried to launch 8). Well I upgraded to Windows 10 for free and would like to re install it to get rid of this secondary OS that doesn't even work. When re installing can I use my windows 8 Disc and key and still get Windows 10 since the upgrade is attached to my microsoft account?

 

[USAFRet]

A while back I re installed Windows 8.1 and it created a dual boot drive of Windows 8 and 8.1(except it would give me an error whenever I tried to launch 8). Well I upgraded to Windows 10 for free and would like to re install it to get rid of this secondary OS that doesn't even work. When re installing can I use my windows 8 Disc and key and still get Windows 10 since the upgrade is attached to my microsoft account?

If your current Win 10 is actually activated properly, there is zero need for using your Win 8 OS.

Literally, just reinstall Win 10. Make the right selection, and it will either keep all your current 'stuff', or wipe everything and result in a bare Win 10 install.

Either way, it will activate itself once it goes online.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Follow this guide first to tie your Microsoft account to your digital license of Windows 10 - http://www.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change

You can also use that guide in order to reactivate Windows 10 after you reinstall it.

You can use this to download a copy of Windows 10 in order to create a bootable USB and install it - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You do not need to install Windows 8 first.

 

[KittyFish62]

A while back I re installed Windows 8.1 and it created a dual boot drive of Windows 8 and 8.1(except it would give me an error whenever I tried to launch 8). Well I upgraded to Windows 10 for free and would like to re install it to get rid of this secondary OS that doesn't even work. When re installing can I use my windows 8 Disc and key and still get Windows 10 since the upgrade is attached to my microsoft account?

If your current Win 10 is actually activated properly, there is zero need for using your Win 8 OS.

Literally, just reinstall Win 10. Make the right selection, and it will either keep all your current 'stuff', or wipe everything and result in a bare Win 10 install.

Either way, it will activate itself once it goes online.

I reinstalled win 10 and it unactivated for me. Probably because I used <REDACTED> though lol.

 

[USAFRet]

I reinstalled win 10 and it unactivated for me. Probably because I used <REDACTED> though lol.

My comments were based around having a valid OS license. Not something pirated.

 

[KittyFish62]

Well, I mean, it isn't malicious, but okay.

 

[StormyIV]

So im creating the bootable drive to my USB now. When I boot that up and it asks for a key, I can use my windows 8 key? Or will I be able to enter my account information instead.

 

[USAFRet]

So im creating the bootable drive to my USB now. When I boot that up and it asks for a key, I can use my windows 8 key? Or will I be able to enter my account information instead.

At the bottom of that window, "I don't have a product key"

Click that.

 

[StormyIV]

A little delayed but thanks for the all of your replies!