Installing Windows: I' like to reactive a computer that has no drives. I'm getting a Samsung 1TB SSD and another SSD to use as a D drive. Short of buying a $$ copy of Windows, is there...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I' like to reactive a computer that has no drives. I'm getting a Samsung 1TB SSD and another SSD to use as a D drive. Short of buying a $$ copy of Windows, is there a way to install it without paying? I know there are places that offer Windows keys for low prices, but they seem iffy.

I can download Win10 for free, but unlike Apple, MS makes us pay for their OS.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Your topic title reminded me of the new EV's that Apple is coming out with. Apparently production is backed up due to problems installing Windows.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tradio wrote:

Your topic title reminded me of the new EV's that Apple is coming out with. Apparently production is backed up due to problems installing Windows.

I heard it won't have any windows - LCDs all around.

Somewhat related - Car makers have wanted to replace sideview mirrors with electronics to reduce wind resistance, but reliability is a concern. If a driver suddenly loses sight of what's going on next to him, that could be a big problem. My Fit turns on a camera when I signal right or put it into reverse. Very nice. The cameras are tiny.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

jerryc41 wrote:

I' like to reactive a computer that has no drives. I'm getting a Samsung 1TB SSD and another SSD to use as a D drive. Short of buying a $$ copy of Windows, is there a way to install it without paying? I know there are places that offer Windows keys for low prices, but they seem iffy.

I can download Win10 for free, but unlike Apple, MS makes us pay for their OS.

Did the most recent drive on that computer have Win 11?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Indi wrote:

Did the most recent drive on that computer have Win 11?

It had Win10, but I don't recall what happened to that drive. It's been a few years. It's a good computer with Core i7 and 32GB of memory and Asus motherboard. It will be all SSD when it's finished.

I can buy Win10 for under $80, so that's not too bad.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Do you have a product key for ANY win 10 installation on another computer? How about a Win 7 product key? That will often work. I’m not advocating SW theft, but those $5-10 “windows activation keys” on eBay do actually typically work - we have an engineer at a company I consult for that uses them successfully on a regular basis.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TriX wrote:

Do you have a product key for ANY win 10 installation on another computer? How about a Win 7 product key? That will often work. I’m not advocating SW theft, but those $5-10 “windows activation keys” on eBay do actually typically work - we have an engineer at a company I consult for that uses them successfully on a regular basis.

Well, I bought a copy from the MS Store for $77, and I downloaded the suggested files to install it.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

I' like to reactive a computer that has no drives. I'm getting a Samsung 1TB SSD and another SSD to use as a D drive. Short of buying a $$ copy of Windows, is there a way to install it without paying? I know there are places that offer Windows keys for low prices, but they seem iffy.

I can download Win10 for free, but unlike Apple, MS makes us pay for their OS.

What brand/made/model of the computer. What kind of OS did it come with? I have several computers that came with Windows 7 and now running Windows 10 without having to pay anything. I didn't need any product key. The license is in the computer.
Oh you said it has win10 before? Then you simply download Win10 and install Windows. MS remember that they licensed you computer for Win10 before.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

What brand/made/model of the computer. What kind of OS did it come with? I have several computers that came with Windows 7 and now running Windows 10 without having to pay anything. I didn't need any product key. The license is in the computer.
Oh you said it has win10 before? Then you simply download Win10 and install Windows. MS remember that they licensed you computer for Win10 before.

I built this one about eight years ago - Asus motherboard.

rcarol

jerryc41 wrote:

I' like to reactive a computer that has no drives. I'm getting a Samsung 1TB SSD and another SSD to use as a D drive. Short of buying a $$ copy of Windows, is there a way to install it without paying? I know there are places that offer Windows keys for low prices, but they seem iffy.

I can download Win10 for free, but unlike Apple, MS makes us pay for their OS.

I installed windows on a computer by telling the software that i would provide a product key later. This allowed me to continue installing Windows. Periodically thereafter, Windows would remind me that I needed to provide a product key but continued to operate properly without the key. It was a nag message at the lower right of the desktop and it lasted only momentarily.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

I built this one about eight years ago - Asus motherboard.

and you installed Windows 10 initially?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

and you installed Windows 10 initially?

Yes, but the original drive was removed and used for something else.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rcarol wrote:

I installed windows on a computer by telling the software that i would provide a product key later. This allowed me to continue installing Windows. Periodically thereafter, Windows would remind me that I needed to provide a product key but continued to operate properly without the key. It was a nag message at the lower right of the desktop and it lasted only momentarily.

I prefer not being nagged.

BebuLamar

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, but the original drive was removed and used for something else.

You can install the same copy of Windows 10 on a new drive. The license goes with the computer not the drive.

alvin3232 Loc: Houston, TX

Jerry
I sent you a link and check your messages

Alvin