Deleted back-up partition - install WIN media with key?

alexeliasson
alexeliasson Member Posts: 12

Tinkerer

Hi!

 

My acer back-up partition is deleted. However, I've backed up the key from the BIOS prior to deleting it. Can I download the Win 10 ISO from Microsoft and install with the same key? 

 

If not, how do I get around it? I have a legit key/purchase but the original backup partition/system is deleted. 

Best Answer

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓

    Thanks for the update. Looks like you'll have to re-install windows 8.1 first using the links I gave you.  Good luck. 

    I'm not an Acer employee.

Answers

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder

    OK so you have your key written down on a piece of paper.....just in case you need it.

     

    Please post if it does require you to enter the key.  According to the instructions, if you haven't activated Windows 10 yet, it will require the key the first time since you're aren't going through Windows update. But I'm not sure if that's the case since I haven't tried it.  Why don't you just go through windows update?

     

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

     

    Edit:  You don't need your backup partition to update through windows update.  If you update through windows update, you won't need to enter your key.

     

    Why is it you think you need your backup partition in order to go to windows update and upgrade to windows 10?  If you don't know how to find windows update on your computer, you can search for it on your computer.

     

     

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • alexeliasson
    alexeliasson Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    Hi, thanks for your reply. 

     

    Actually - on my system I'm using an old XP edition, so I'm not currently on the WIN 8.1 which came with the purchase of my Acer v3-371 - also the back-up is deleted. 

     

    However, the key is extracted and my question is really if I can use this key on a original Windows 10 Media (more specific, the ISO/USB available on their website per today) 

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder

    If it's a windows 8 or windows 8.1 key, yes you can use it.

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder

    Worst case scenario is you have to re-install Windows 8.1 first, then activate it (if you haven't already---it should activate automatically) and then update to windows 10 (which should also activate automatically).

     

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder

    If you have difficulty and/or want to start fresh, follow steps 1-13 in link below.  I'm guessing your computer came with UEFI BIOS and you are now in legacy mode due to XP.  Those 13 steps will also help you get back to UEFI/GPT mode....if you don't already know how. 

     

    http://community.acer.com/t5/Windows-8-1/Acer-S7-392-Factory-Image/m-p/362689#U362689

     

     

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • alexeliasson
    alexeliasson Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    Thanks for all the replies guys! To update you I could not use my purchased WIN 8.1 key extracted from the Acer Bios, to install windows 10. Neither in the beginning of the installation nor after. 

  • JordanB
    JordanB ACE Posts: 3,729 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓

    Thanks for the update. Looks like you'll have to re-install windows 8.1 first using the links I gave you.  Good luck. 

    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • alexeliasson
    alexeliasson Member Posts: 12

    Tinkerer

    Yup, I appreciate your feedback JordanB. You're a great poweruser! 

  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,413 Trailblazer

    alexeliasson wrote:

    Thanks for all the replies guys! To update you I could not use my purchased WIN 8.1 key extracted from the Acer Bios, to install windows 10. Neither in the beginning of the installation nor after. 


    yes, you can't use your win8.1 key to install win10 but you can upgrade and check windows 10 authorization once did it.

     

    then you can do a clean install of windows10 skipping when a product key is asked, once on desktop at the end of installation, you will find your copy authorized.

    I'm not an Acer employee.