How to put windows on a blank computer

[Polarbear]

Hello computer gurus. Assistance required.

I have got a 2nd hand laptop that has been professionally wiped using something called Blancco. (I dont know if that makes a difference or what)

I knew I would have to install windows but now I am a bit stuffed as in the old days you just bought a widows cd, stuffed it in the computer and off it went.

What do you do now and what do i need to buy? I presume a windows key and then download it onto something that can be transferred to the other computer?

Please answer in simple terms unlike the ones I have googled.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Ste]

Is there a Windows license key and if so what version is it for?

[GettinBetter]

1. Download a copy of the version you want, load it to a USB stick
2. Get a key from anywhere
3. Plug in the USB and boot, it'll do it itself.

Win 10 is quite cheap, even free someplaces.
Win 11 has been released recently.
Ubuntu is free.

[Polarbear]

[Polarbear]

[GettinBetter]

[t121anf]

Might not need a key, a lot of our works laptops self register as Windows Home, we change to it Windows Education though.

[to v or not to v]

keys are dirt cheap on the bay
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[Im-a-Ridah]

One option is download a windows USB creator then install windows as "i dont have a key" and use an offline account to limit M$ spying on you...

Then definitely don't ever run a windows crack like this one which activates windows, and denies Bill Gates revenue, because that would be a breach of the EULA (basically void anyway) and also very naughty and such.
https://www.official-kmspico.com/

[Easy-X]

Assuming you already have another Windows PC available (or borrow a friend's) grab a USB memory stick, 8GB should be more than enough, and go here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Skip past the "upgrade" button and go for "Download tool now." Run the tool and point it at your stick. Once done plug the stick into the laptop and power up.

Hopefully at this point the installer should start but if not you might need to get into the BIOS or look for a boot menu key to manually point the laptop at the USB memory stick.

BTW you don't need to buy a Windows 10 licence or even activate it. Windows just disables some convenience features and annoys you with a "please activate! bill's down to his last trillion..." banner in the corner but otherwise works fine.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[xX-Alex-Xx]

A windows key can be got on eBay for a few quid. Just note those ones will only work on a fresh install so get it before you do the install.
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DILLIGAF

[doggone]

[Ste]

You need to use a working computer with an operating system to download the tool and to make the USB stick.

[thx1138]

[Easy-X]

[GettinBetter]

[UncleFester]

Get a win 10 iso
A 8gb usb stick
Download Rufus (https://rufus.ie/en/ )usb boot creator

Use Rufus to write out a bookable usb stick

Set pc to boot from it and off you go.

If i still lived over MK way i'd have done it for you and activated it - it's literally half an hours work as long as you have an SSD in there. If not and this is a keeper it's worth buying a cheap one and fitting it.
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2017 Z1000SX

[WD Forte]

No sure but think Blanco is a paid or pro version of Dban?

I'm sure Polarbear would get a full version of winders from a guy in the pub for a 'drink'

I'd want to know the spec of the lappy first though
if its not too old you'll probly run win 10 OK
If its low spec, stick linux mint or ubuntu on it

if you tell us the make model we might get an idea
for example
One of my lappys is a Sony Vaio with i5 430M 2 core 2.27 GHZ cpu and 8GB RAM plus SSD that works pretty well for general use.
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bikers smell of wee

[Andy Perrett]

If you're installing from a bootable Windows 10 installation media, don't forget that some laptops and PC's will need the boot order changing in the BIOS to boot external USB before internal hard drive.

[Polarbear]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[UncleFester]

£43???

Bargain. They're a bit of a brick but they stand up to knocks and bangs well.

Be spot on that with Win10.

At that price it'd be worth a new backlit keyboard and a battery although if running off the mains it really won't care.
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2017 Z1000SX