Activating Windows on New PCs Before Reinstalling
As IT professionals, we often prefer not to use the OS as it comes pre-installed on new computers. These systems frequently include additional software that consumes space and bloats the overall system. However, caution is needed when replacing the default installation with a clean, vanilla install. It is essential to ensure that the OS (Windows 10/11) is digitally licensed first. This ensures that your new, non-bloatware install will also be properly licensed.
Windows 11 can be particularly challenging because Microsoft strongly encourages setting up the new install with a Microsoft account. You can, however, license the OS before it nags you to create an account.
Here are a few quick steps to ensure your new PC’s OS is licensed before you erase it with your own vanilla Windows installation:
Get through the OOBE far enough to connect to the network (ethernet or Wi-Fi)
Shift + F10 to open a command prompt
Typer “start ms-settings:” and press ENER (without the quotes, of course)
The settings screen opens on top of the OOBE
Go to Windows activation and verify it’s licensed
Done
Now you re-install your own Windows on the system, and it should automatically license again once connected to the network.
Side note: If you are re-installing with Windows 11 (why?) and you don’t want to create a Microsoft account, after the OOBE has started, press Shift + F10 and then type the following: OOBE\BYPASSNRO
The system will reboot and when it comes back up, don’t connect to the network and you can create a local account.