However, it's usually recommended to download at least the essential drivers before the process (such as for the network adapter and graphics card), as a precaution, in case the setup fails to add these drivers correctly, especially on custom computer builds.

Windows 10 can detect and install most drivers automatically. If you have to set up an installation on a computer that never had an activated version of Windows 10, or you plan to upgrade from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, you will have to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, or another retailer.

Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.Īfter you complete the steps, Windows 10 should automatically reactivate after the clean installation if your current setup is activated.

Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but it isn't linked to your Microsoft account.

If the computer has been properly activated, you'll see one of these messages:

Under the 'Windows' section, confirm the activation.

To confirm whether Windows 10 is properly activated, use these steps:

Once the new installation completes, the system will automatically reactivate when it connects to the internet.

Get up to 18TB of storage and connect with USB-A 3.0 for fast file transfers.Īlthough after activating Windows 10, you no longer have to provide a product key for reinstallation on the same computer. If you're in the market for an external drive to store file backups, look no further than the Western Digital Elements Desktop Hard Drive.

Windows 10 pro media creation tool