Before you purchase a new Windows 10 Key, where did you get your Windows licence was that pre-installed on the PC or did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer?
Windows 10 key
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Javier Bonilla
0
Reputation points
Hi there! I need to buy a Windows 10 key for my desktop its original HD doesn't work anymore and I'm going to replace it with another one, sadly I don't know the original Win 10 key, and I didn't link it to my Microsoft account.
I can't buy a new computer, and my old one doesn't meet all Win 11 requirements. So I need a new Win 10 key.
The question is Where to buy it? Because Microsoft doesn't sell them anymore.
Thanks!
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation
1 answer
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DaveM121 802.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor2025-09-21T09:59:44.9266667+00:00 -
Javier Bonilla 0 Reputation points
2025-09-21T20:38:31.98+00:00 Hi there! Thank you for answering my question.
I bought my PC brand new; it is an HP ENVY 700-010. It had Windows 8 preinstalled, then it was updated to 8.1 and then Windows 10. I look all over the PC for a sticker with a key, and it doesn't have any, just serial number and model.
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DaveM121 802.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-09-22T06:22:44.5633333+00:00 If that device was pre-installed with Windows 8, then most likely you will need to purchase a new Windows 10 licence if it does not activate automatically after Windows 10 is installed, on the activation window in the Settings app, click 'Go to the Store, the licence they sell there is indicated as a Windows 10/11 licence and can be used to activate Windows 10 or 11, because they share the same product key set, and in the future, because that is a retail licence, you will be able to use that licence to activate Windows 11 on another PC.
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Javier Bonilla 0 Reputation points
2025-09-22T17:01:26.32+00:00 Ok! So where should I buy a key? I ask because Microsoft does not sell them anymore.
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DaveM121 802.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-09-22T17:04:54.21+00:00 On the activation window in the settings app, click 'Go to the Store' and there you can purchase the Windows licence, that licence they sell can be used to activate Windows 10 or 11.
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