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I purchased a Windows 8.1 software key after the release of the OS and have been using it on my installation of 8.1. I'd like to do a fresh install of Windows 10, and am using the Windows Media Creation Tool to do so. During the process, I will of course be formatting the hard drive, so the previous OS (and any other data for that matter) will not be present during the Windows 10 install.

Do I have to "unlink", or do anything of the sort with my Windows 8.1 key before I can use it again with my fresh Windows 10 installation?

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    Don't format & install, you'll lose your free upgrade. Upgrade, then do a reset.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Aug 3, 2015 at 16:43
  • Can anyone find the existing duplicate question?
    – Ramhound
    Commented Aug 3, 2015 at 19:19
  • You surrender your W8 key when you agree to the free upgrade, free is not always free.
    – Moab
    Commented Aug 3, 2015 at 23:09

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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You have to do an upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10.

If you want to do a clean Installation you could choose that during the upgrade. You have three different Options:

  1. clean install
  2. Keep your personal settings and files
  3. Keep your personal settings, files and apps
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