Convert old company laptop to WIN 10

July 01, 2023, 04:27 AM

Hello hive mind!

I have an old company laptop that I was allowed to keep, and would like to wipe and convert to windows 10. I kept the old network password to log on, but I’m not sure what to do to wipe the unit and install windows 10.

Any help would be appreciated what other details do I need to supply?

Thanks

PS: Where is a good online place to buy WIN 10?

July 01, 2023, 08:24 AM

nhracecraft

What model Laptop? How old?

Re: WIN 10, for my most recent build (March 2022) I purchased a Win 10 Pro x64 OEM License (w/ DVD Media) from NewEgg @ $129.99, however it's not available at that price right now. It is currently available from OWC (Other World Computing) for basically the same price @ 129.55. This version includes the DVD Media.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Microsoft/FQC08930/

I wanted a Legit/Authentic Microsoft License w/ NO issues as I was building a Gaming Rig for my son. There were all sorts of hassles/availability issues assembling the components for this build due to 'Global Supply Chain Issues'...It took over a year to get the Graphics Card! The OS was the last thing I needed to complete the build and I didn't want ANY more issues! Anyway, there are less expensive sources (some a lot less!) claiming to be legit to purchase a License Only, and though I've seen testimonials from users online claiming zero problems and vouching for the Authenticity, many (most?) just seem like a scam. I chose to pay more for the guarantee of Authenticity. YMMV

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July 01, 2023, 08:58 AM

braillediver

You can download the Win10 ISO and use a Win7 license to upgrade to win10.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-u...ownload/windows10ISO

I've done it several times and it works great. I can send you a Win7 License Key- eMail address is in my profile if interested.

July 01, 2023, 10:04 AM

FenderBender

quote:
Originally posted by nhracecraft:
What model Laptop? How old?

Re: WIN 10, for my most recent build (March 2022) I purchased a Win 10 Pro x64 OEM License (w/ DVD Media) from NewEgg @ $129.99, however it's not available at that price right now. It is currently available from OWC (Other World Computing) for basically the same price @ 129.55. This version includes the DVD Media.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Microsoft/FQC08930/

I wanted a Legit/Authentic Microsoft License w/ NO issues as I was building a Gaming Rig for my son. There were all sorts of hassles/availability issues assembling the components for this build due to 'Global Supply Chain Issues'...It took over a year to get the Graphics Card! The OS was the last thing I needed to complete the build and I didn't want ANY more issues! Anyway, there are less expensive sources (some a lot less!) claiming to be legit to purchase a License Only, and though I've seen testimonials from users online claiming zero problems and vouching for the Authenticity, many (most?) just seem like a scam. I chose to pay more for the guarantee of Authenticity. YMMV

I've been using those cheap CD keys for about 20 years, no issues thus far.

July 01, 2023, 10:33 AM

nhracecraft

^^^I was using 'Cheap CD Keys' back in the day too. Windows 10 was released in 2015 though, some things aren't the same as they used to be. Since the advent of the 'Microsoft Account', Windows 10 and Office 2016, things have changed re: software activation. I got burned (twice, depending on how you look at it) on a Microsoft Office Professional purchase from a seemingly legit source. I got a refund and then purchased from a Authorized Reseller. I could NOT activate the product! I had HOURS of time in chat with Microsoft Support (as well as on the phone) and multiple Remote Desktop sessions, which I was certain would NOT resolve the issue but I played along, and they didn't/couldn't resolve it. I gave up, and I don't need the headaches. As para stated yesterday, 'Fuckin Bill Gates'!

July 01, 2023, 12:04 PM

NavyGuy

Keep in mind that support for W10 ends Oct. 2025. I'm still on 10, but get constant solicitations to upgrade to W11 (no cost) but I've got W11 on my laptop and don't particularly like the W11 interface. But if you're just now upgrading, you might consider 11 and just learn the interface once.

July 01, 2023, 12:23 PM

airbubba

i upgraded a 10 old dell/win7 home laptop with a free online upgrade a few years ago, with something similar to this link.

https://www.howtogeek.com/5090...windows-10-for-free/

it made the win7 machine much more stable, still in use.

July 01, 2023, 12:45 PM

nhracecraft

quote:
Originally posted by NavyGuy:
Keep in mind that support for W10 ends Oct. 2025. I'm still on 10, but get constant solicitations to upgrade to W11 (no cost) but I've got W11 on my laptop and don't particularly like the W11 interface. But if you're just now upgrading, you might consider 11 and just learn the interface once.

Maybe, but if he's got an 'old' company laptop (waiting to hear exactly how old) it may not be W11 compliant.

- Must be UEFI BIOS
- Must be TPM 2.0

Regardless I wouldn't let 'support' from Microsoft be a deciding issue for what's very likely a spare computer. I have six PCs that are still running Windows 7! Honestly that's by choice on those particular machines, but if you don't do stupid shit, it's not the risk everyone makes it out to be!

July 01, 2023, 08:49 PM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by braillediver:
You can download the Win10 ISO and use a Win7 license to upgrade to win10.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-u...ownload/windows10ISO

I've done it several times and it works great. I can send you a Win7 License Key- eMail address is in my profile if interested.

currently on this laptop, still using Windows 7,

old Dell M3500, with an upgraded SSD drive,

do I need a key?

July 01, 2023, 11:23 PM

Chowser

Coworker gave me an old desktop for my grandkids that he bought in 2009. It had win7 on it. I downloaded win10 from Microsoft’s website and it upgraded to win10 without asking for a key.
Everything has been working fine.

July 02, 2023, 07:18 AM

jcsabolt2

Consider installing Linux on it. There are several Linux distributions out there that mimic Windows look/feel such as Mint. At least this way you won’t be subject to Windows malware/viruses and have a pretty stable platform to utilize on an old machine.

July 02, 2023, 07:50 AM

Veeper

quote:
Originally posted by braillediver:
You can download the Win10 ISO and use a Win7 license to upgrade to win10.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-u...ownload/windows10ISO

I've done it several times and it works great. I can send you a Win7 License Key- eMail address is in my profile if interested.

This.

If it has Windows 7, you can use the Windows 10 “November Update” ISO offline and it will activate Windows 10 digital entitlement, for free.

I’ll look to see what the actual version of Win10 it is. I have the ISO file saved locally.

It’s not a new version, but will update to 22H2 once you put the laptop back online.

July 02, 2023, 10:23 AM

Patriot

It’s a dell latitude, 6430u.

July 02, 2023, 10:32 AM

Patriot

None of the above links worked

July 02, 2023, 11:44 AM

Patriot

Maybe an old “ format c”…?

July 02, 2023, 11:52 AM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by jcsabolt2:

Consider installing Linux on it. There are several Linux distributions out there that mimic Windows look/feel such as Mint.

Will this support Windows programs like QuickBooks?

July 02, 2023, 11:54 AM

nhracecraft

quote:
Originally posted by Patriot:
It’s a dell latitude, 6430u.

In case it was a consideration, this machine appears to not be W11 compliant.

July 02, 2023, 12:02 PM

Patriot

quote:
Originally posted by nhracecraft:
quote:
Originally posted by Patriot:
It’s a dell latitude, 6430u.

In case it was a consideration, this machine appears to not be W11 compliant.

So I own a boat anchor? LOL

July 02, 2023, 12:02 PM

nhracecraft

As this was a Dell Latitude 'Corporate' Laptop, I'd suggest accessing the BIOS to ensure there are NO 'Security Features' enabled that could prevent you from doing what you want to do.

How 'corporate' was/is this machine? Is there a Recovery Partition on the SSD or did your IT guys just image the SSD with a their custom deployment configuration, basically their OS image w/ their standard/approved software package?