Computer People, Need Help!!!
 

Wife's at least 10 or 12 year old laptop with Windows 10 Pro died. The diagnostics in ROM, I guess, showed a bad hard drive. Put a new one in that passes the test.

Now I have no OS. I tried to download from Microsoft to make a bootable USB drive. The computer that I'm using is Windows 7. Unsuccessful, I think because I have no Windows 10 Activation Key.

How do I buy a Windows 10 activation key from Microsoft Store? I'm thinking of buying a bootable usb stick, too. Any recommendations?

A manufacturer's Windows 7 activation key will activate Windows 10.

Start here.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

You'll need a blank usb drive 8gb or larger.

What brand is your laptop? I might be able to retrieve a key off one of our workstations in the eWaste bin.

It is an HP ProBook 470 G4. Tried to use the serial number and product ID in HP Support Assistant to get an activation key but the serial number and product ID were not recognized.

Have a 64GB usb drive that I formatted to clean up. Tried downloading from MS, but on this computer running Windows 7, I'm unsuccessful. I think I need the activation key.

I don't want you to get into trouble getting me one off of a workstation though.

Thank you for advice on size usb needed.

You dont have to have a key. Just install it. You will have a nag message at the corner of the screen but you can ignore it.

Thanks

I tried that and installed Linux Mint instead on one. I have another with Win 7 on a LT but the Win install is already a 3rd party. The pop ups are super annoying so I wouldn't go that route. I've never been successful in getting a key out of an existing machine. Is that even possible?

It's 25 years old, so I really shouldn't care but it has a huge screen, something that is hard to come by now.

That model should have the activation key in the Bios, so reinstalling windows should just recognize it and you'll be good to go.

Thanks

I just did an install. Just tell it you do not have a key and tell it you have no internet. Ive done it so many times I dont even think about what I am clicking.

If it's a 10-12 year old laptop it is a brick that needs to be mercifully sacrificed to the DOS gods.

Will likely run Linux (Mint MATE edition ftw!) quite well

I'm gonna experiment with Linux as well.

Especially since MS is deciding all your OS and proprietary data are belong to them, and be online only.
AI will monitor and sort through it.
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3625515/what-is-windows-365-microsoft-s-cloud-based-os-explained.html

Oh. And that AI needs to be worshiped..
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/meet-microsoft-copilots-evil-twin-supremacyagi-not-your-friend-or-equal-but-your-superior-and-master-that-demands-to-be-worshipped-or-suffer-dire-repercussions-you-rebel

^^^^^^^ This. Mint is super user friendly. My main OS.

I've recently picked up a bug on my home pc, sometimes locking up with no clickity click click action of the mouse.

I do the 3 finger Salute of CTRL/ALT/DEL to open task manager, then without even clicking on any apps consuming resources, I simply close the Task Window and it fixes the no clickity click. I think I need to edit my executed files upon start up to see if anything unusual is loading in the background......any other suggestions?

Sucks you lost the old drive.

12 year old laptop with no hard disk? It has negative value. Don’t waste your time buying hd and reinstalling. Just Buy another laptop off Craigslist. $250 will get you a pretty sweet machine.

True. But if he is asking how to get an activation key for Windows, does this sound like a Linux users? Also....ubuntu 4evar :D

Thanks to everybody for help. I appreciate you all sharing your knowledge.

Rusty Heap said I ought to sacrifice the old laptop to the DOS gods, but not following his advice. It was a pretty good one in its day. 1 TB HD and 16 GB memory. It has optical drive for CD and I think a 2 core processor with over 2 GHz speed. It does/did what my wife wanted except for occasional Windows 10 stuff.

Yesterday morning going through HP Support and MS websites, RockFan4 and Jack Didley's advice was verified. I tried downloading to Win10 on this Win7 laptop to send to a reformated USB stick but was unable due to 2016 limit (I guess). With the pretty day, I quit to take care of some outside stuff. Before I did, ordered sealed Windows 10 off ebay. It should be here between Mon and Wed next week. Will let you all know how it goes.

Thanks for suggesting Linux. Read the Linux.com "what is Linux", but am sticking wit Windows on this one.

I'm rather surprised you didn't buy a new laptop.

I wish you would have posted here before buying the Windows 10. I just downloaded it free 2 days ago. I'd have posted a link.

That computer is ancient in the world of computers. Win 10 will not be supported for much longer. No way will that one run Win 11. Win 7 is from 2009. That is 15 years ago, and stone age.

I guess it it to late now, but a new Win 11 laptop would be a ton faster, and more secure from hackers and malware. Good luck with antique computing.