Does reinstall windows (Reset PC) need windows 10 key?

[Roy]

So I want to data reset my laptop. But the laptop already have windows 10 installed when I buy it , so I dont have the key.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Of course not; once its on that system, you never need to re-buy it.

[Roy]

Bad_Motha님이 먼저 게시:

Of course not; once its on that system, you never need to re-buy it.

I mean does the system will ask for the key again? No?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

No there is no key; it's digital license, already there via your OEM, reinstalling Win10 again will just self-activate once again.


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

[Supafly]

When you get asked for a key just select the I don’t have a product key option. Win 10 will then install and will self activate after connectiong to the internet as it is linked to your hardware.

[[☥] - CJ -]

Or
You use SPECCY to copy your Windows Key

Win10 DOES have a key, its just that once you get online it'll automatically reactivate

But its always good to have your key handy regardless

[Bad 💀 Motha]

You won't get asked for a Key on a Laptop, it relies on an OEM Digital License; this will get fetched from Microsoft once Win10 is installed and then connected to an Internet Connection; to verify the activation after this point, simply click Start Menu > Settings > Updates & Security > Activation

For one you're doing a "Win10 Reset" this is all automated; this uses the Win10 OS that is already on the machine and simply does a factory reset so the OS is clean again. This is not the same as "Clean install Win10 via Bootable USB Flash Drive/DVD" where then yes you would be asked for a Product Key; if asked you always click "I do not have a key" and then select the same OS Edition that you had before; such as "Win10 Home" for example, as selecting any other edition other than what the system used before, or what the previous OS was, you'd need a different product key to match the OS Edition. So for example anyone coming from Win7/8/8.1 Home, you want to install Win10 Home; if you came from Win7 Pro/Ultimate or 8/8.1 Pro then install Win10 Pro; or otherwise, simply select the same OS Edition that was already pre-installed on the device from the start, or when purchased; such as if you purchase a Laptop/Tablet/Desktop with Windows 10 already pre-installed; whatever Edition that is, should you ever do a clean install, select the same edition again during that time.

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

The simple answer is "no". Mainly because Windows will automatically activate itself once you log into your Microsoft account via the Windows Store app.

[tacoshy]

The Spoopy Kitteh님이 먼저 게시:

The simple answer is "no". Mainly because Windows will automatically activate itself once you log into your Microsoft account via the Windows Store app.

most ppl dont use a Microsoft accout even not on a laptop and if you do you log into it during the login screen as you need an online account then instead of an offline account...but semantics, key is stored on motherboard and either way it will activate itself until reinstalling.

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

tacoshy님이 먼저 게시:

The Spoopy Kitteh님이 먼저 게시:

The simple answer is "no". Mainly because Windows will automatically activate itself once you log into your Microsoft account via the Windows Store app.

most ppl dont use a Microsoft accout even not on a laptop and if you do you log into it during the login screen as you need an online account then instead of an offline account...but semantics, key is stored on motherboard and either way it will activate itself until reinstalling.

You can log into the Microsoft Store app and XBox Live without having to change your local account on the PC into an online one.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/51321-use-local-account-windows-store.html

Given the OP's edit stating a factory reset, no they won't even need to activate Windows after that.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

The Spoopy Kitteh님이 먼저 게시:

The simple answer is "no". Mainly because Windows will automatically activate itself once you log into your Microsoft account via the Windows Store app.

This will happen anyways, regardless of using any such means to do it.
All mine were always "Local Account Only" and re-activated without issues.
This is due to OS digital license being tied to the Motherboard.

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Bad_Motha님이 먼저 게시:

The Spoopy Kitteh님이 먼저 게시:

The simple answer is "no". Mainly because Windows will automatically activate itself once you log into your Microsoft account via the Windows Store app.

This will happen anyways, regardless of using any such means to do it.
All mine were always "Local Account Only" and re-activated without issues.
This is due to OS digital license being tied to the Motherboard.

In deed. I bought mine as a digital retail license from Staples so the activation was always going to do that for me as well. The steps I linked to are there in case a user buys an entirely new system.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

If you buy a new system and need to re-use an OS you already own; as long as not attempting to use on more than one machine at the same time, it will work. If the activation of product key results in a failed activation on new system; simply call Microsoft and explain that the old motherboard has died and you were forced to replace that part.

[Da Nice Time Kid]

Hi! Recently tried this, the windows key and activation is tied to your motherboard. So unless you change motherboards, you don't need another key or to re-activate it (most of the time)

[Bad 💀 Motha]

reservoir dog님이 먼저 게시:

Hi! Recently tried this, the windows key and activation is tied to your motherboard. So unless you change motherboards, you don't need another key or to re-activate it (most of the time)

Even when u do change boards, u can still reuse the key