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HP Recommended
HP Compaq Elite 8300 Base Model Small Form Factor PC
Microsoft Windows 11

I had my new pc update while I slept , when I got up it was running w11 i did not do this because Microsoft said my pc wouldn't run on W11, but i went ahead and tried it out and it was great so i just went with it, but now after running some updates im starting to notice things not working right or just not working, now im afraid if i keep updating w11 that my pc will crash i did not know there was a time limit on this so that option to GO BACK is turned off MICOMP pre-installed windows so i have no product key, I just purchased this gaming pc and it took a long time to save up for it being on SSI so i won't be able to get another one is there some way i can go back to w10, im not doing this because i dont like w11 im doing this because it won't run w11 can anyone help me, Microsoft said they can't help because my 10 days is up

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
HP Recommended

@DugDig49 -- So if i where to use the repair tool i could get w10 back and my computer will give the product key?

 

Maybe.

 

Since Windows 11 "upgraded" over top of your Windows 10 system, it is possible that your disk-drive contains a hidden "system recovery" partition that was not "touched" during the "upgrade" process.

 

If you can convince your computer to enter "system recovery" mode, the original factory-loaded version of Windows 10, as found inside that hidden partition, can be used to do the "factory-reset".  Of course, make an external backup of your Personal Files, before you try anything "drastic", such as a reload of Windows 10.

 

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10 REPLIES 10
HP Recommended

@DugDig49 --  i have no product key

 

In a way, you do have two product-keys:

 

1. on any computer where Windows 10 was pre-installed, the product-key is embedded in the motherboard. When reinstalling the original operating system, the installer will extract this key, and use it.

 

2. when you "activated" your copy of Windows 10, your computer "called home", and sent the product-key to Microsoft. So, if you have a working Internet connection while re-installing Windows 10, Windows will "call home", and extract the product-key, and will use it.

 

Unlike Windows 7 (and older versions) there is no "decal" somewhere on the computer, e.g., under a removable laptop battery, or on the side/back of the desktop's case. 

 

HP Recommended

So if i where to use the repair tool i could get w10 back and my computer will give them the product key? oh and thank you vary much

HP Recommended

Hi, @DugDig49 

 

Make a bootable W10 USB installation flash drive with the Media creation tool from the link below.

 

Make the 64 bit installation media.

 

Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

 

Boot from the installation media and reinstall W10.

 

Select the version of W10 you originally had installed from the list.

 

Then you will be asked to enter a product key.

 

Select the 'I don't have a product key' option and W10 will install and automatically activate after you are connected to the internet.

HP Recommended

@DugDig49 -- So if i where to use the repair tool i could get w10 back and my computer will give the product key?

 

Maybe.

 

Since Windows 11 "upgraded" over top of your Windows 10 system, it is possible that your disk-drive contains a hidden "system recovery" partition that was not "touched" during the "upgrade" process.

 

If you can convince your computer to enter "system recovery" mode, the original factory-loaded version of Windows 10, as found inside that hidden partition, can be used to do the "factory-reset".  Of course, make an external backup of your Personal Files, before you try anything "drastic", such as a reload of Windows 10.

 

HP Recommended

Ya I backed everything up and seeing that my pc is under warranty, i thought maybe I should call them, they said for any ? or for any problems to call them all I want for one year so to make sure im not violating any rules I thought I would call them, they are supposed to call me tomorrow after there support team looks over everything , I will let you all know what they say if you like me to, so do I let this discussion go , both hp and microsoft said the same thing as you, You answered way faster than they did. Thank you very much thank you to everyone who helped me with this you guys are life savers for sure

HP Recommended

the windows media creation tool found the original product key and allowed me to go back to w10, I do have to say i don't understand why Microsoft says my pc wont run w11 It actually ran better than w10, but I don't know,

So we are good thank you for helping me I greatly appreciate it.

HP Recommended

@DugDig50 / @DugDig49 -- Great!

 

Please click "this reply was helpful" for each reply that was helpful.

 

Also, please click "Accept As Answer", to indicate that you do not need any more contributions from the members of this discussion forum.

 

HP Recommended

i did and i thanked you to am i not doing something im new here so tell me if im not doing things right

HP Recommended

where is the accept button at answer?

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