Windows re-install

To re-install Windows you first need the Windows Product Key that you must have to authorize the new installation. Even if you have a computer that is working perfectly you should find and record the Key in case the operating system fails and no longer works. There are two ways to retrieve the Product Key on your computer.

1. For a working computer do the following:

i. Download and run a program like ProduKey and run it. You can then export this as a document.

ii. Manually retrieve the key as follows:
In the Windows search window type cmd to open the command prompt, then type in the following:
wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
The key should look something like this: RKYXV-YDV4G-VKAVH-P387V-T3XK3
Record this information.

2. If you need to retrieve the Windows key from a computer that will not boot or run, use the Hiren Boot CD that has been installed on a disc or USB drive. This can be done from a USB stick if the computer is new enough; for older computers it will be necessary to boot from a disc using either a built-in or external disc drive. Do the following:

i. Boot the computer from the USB or CD/DVD option. It will take a few minutes to fully boot up.

ii. Once the desktop appears, open the Utilities folder

iii. Open the folders Security > KeyFinders

iv. Run the program ProduKey

v. Under the File tab click on Select Source

vi. Select the second option: Load the product keys of external Windows installations from all disks currently plugged into your computer. Press OK. After a few seconds, the product key should appear.

vii. Click on the line showing the Windows installation with the product key.

viii. Under the File tab select Save Selected Items. Label and save this text document to a USB drive.

ProduKey procedure - click to enlarge

To make an installation version of Windows, first download the file from the Microsoft website, either Windows 10 or Windows 11. Consider installing Windows 11 Lite on older computers with limited RAM and slower processors (but you still need a valid Windows Key to install it).

You then need to make a bootable version of the Windows file. If your computer has a CD drive you can burn the downloaded file to a disc then boot your computer from the disc. Alternately you can make a bootable version onto a USB memory stick with a program like Lili USB Creator.

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If you don't have a Windows key one can be purchased from secondary sellers like Keyingo.