Change SSD, reinstall Windows - key required?

[starbright_]

I want to upgrade my laptop with a bigger SSD.

Do I need to enter any key to reactivate Windows if I install a recent 1909 to a new SSD?

The backup partition of my laptop is still there but I few problems with that:

- it ist huge (15GB) and I don't have a 16GB USB stick or DVD burner

- Windows on backup is old

- I don't like the partition scheme (want a small C: and a bigger 😧 and space for Linux)

So imho it make  sense to just install Windows. Will it know that this device had an activated Windows before?

If not, where to get the key from?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The W10 product key is in your notebook's BIOS.

You don't need it.

As long as you install the correct version of W10 the key is good for, it will install and automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.