Re-set to factory default?

[beachguysp]

Hi,

This hp desktop originally came with Windows 7 home edition built in.   Last year Windows changed the OS to Windows10 on this PC for free.   It is working well with no problems.   If in the future, if this PC ever had to be re-set to factory default will it install a fresh version of Windows10 or go back to Windows7?  If it reverted back to Windows7, is it correct that I would have to pay to upgrade to Windows 10 as the free transfer period is over.

Thanks,

beachguy

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

If you can recover the PC to its factory default, you will get W7.

However, you can always clean install W10 if you need to (such as replacing the hard drive), by using the W10 Media Creation tool from the link below.

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

When you get to the part where Windows 10 asks you to enter a product key (which you don't have), next to that, there is an 'I don't have a product key' option to select.

You select that option, and W10 will proceed to install.  Once you are connected to the internet, the installation will automatically activate since Microsoft has a record of your PC having been previously upgraded to W10.

[beachguysp]

Hi Paul_T.,

Thanks for the reply.   I will save your link so I can go back to Win10 should I ever need it.

Appreciate it, 

beachguy

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.