reinstall windows after replacing hard drive

[hughaiken]

Hard drive failed. I bought a new seagate of the same model and installed it. BIOS says "no launch device" and "3FO".

How can I reinstall windows 10 (or install windows 11) on the new hard drive?

Hugh Aiken

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You can reinstall W10 by making a bootable USB installation flash drive with the Microsoft media creation tool from the link below:

Download Windows 10

The PC does not meet Microsoft's minimum W11 hardware requirements but there is a way to upgrade to W11 after you install W10.

If you are happy with your PC, and if you are interested in doing an in-place upgrade from W10 to W11 24H2 on your PC as is, watch this video, which is the easiest way to do it in my opinion, and I have used several different ways to do this during the last 3 years.

How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PC in 2025 (New Easiest Method, No CMD)

Download the W24H2 ISO file and use that (3rd option).

Download Windows 11

You can download the free 7-Zip file utility from the link below. The top line is for 64 bit.

7-Zip

You'll have to repeat this procedure if and when Microsoft rolls out the new W11 builds because a PC that does not meet Microsoft's minimum W11 hardware requirements will never automatically get the update to the next build.

They have been releasing new W11 builds each October so far.

Other than that, your PC will continue to get the monthly cumulative and other updates.

That's only a minor inconvenience to have continued OS support beyond October of 2025.

If things don't work right on W11, you have 10 days to easily go back to W10 as long as you don't delete the W1 upgrade files or the Windows.old folder.

How to Go Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 (Tutorial)

[hughaiken]

Hi Paul Tikkanen

Thank you for this comprehensive reply. I understand. But, how can I create the flash boot usb with windows 10 without the license number for the windows that was on the hard drive that failed? Is there a way to get the windows license number from HP? I spent an hour trying the chat on the HP site, and it was useless.

Best Regards

Hugh

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Hugh.

The W10 Home product key is encrypted in your PC's BIOS.

You don't need the product key to reinstall W10.

W10 will detect the product key, install and activate after you are connected to the internet.

[hughaiken]

Dear Paul T.

Thank you for bringing me a step closer to using my HP PC.

But As the PC has no OS, and no browser, etc, how can I connect it to Microsoft to download windows 10? Not to mention Microdoft Office, which was installed on the hard drive that burned up?

Thank you for your patience, and answers?

Why does HP want me to pay 25 Euros to talk to support? The HP chat is simply useless.

Sincerely,

Hugh

how can I connect to the internet when I have no OS? Only BIOS, that says there is no OS. Without an OS, how can I connect the 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Hugh.

You would have to use another Windows PC to create the installation media with.

I wouldn't be able to help you with reinstalling Microsoft Office.

If it originally came with the PC is is forever lost, and you will need to purchase Office from Microsoft.

HP refuses to talk to anyone whose PC is out of warranty unless they pay up front for support.

Don't waste your money because they won't be able to help you.

There are free Office suites you can use instead of Microsoft Office and they will allow you to view and edit Microsoft Office files and spreadsheets as long as they are not too complicated.

Download LibreOffice | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatibl...

[hughaiken]

Dear Paul,

Following your advice, I was able to create a boot usb on the windows support site of MS. It worked fairly well, and I am now writing to you from my PC with the new seagate HD and Windows 10.

Thanks.

Hugh AIken

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Hugh.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Cheers,

Paul