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HP Recommended
HP Notebook model # 15-da0078nr
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

Hi - my laptops hard drive crashed.  My HP notebook was made in 2019.

Is this new enough where I can just buy a new HDD and download the Microsoft media creation tool to my USB and

when I start to load it the Windows key will be accessed in the laptops hardware?

Otherwise how would I obtain the Windows key for my laptop without having to go out and buy it?

Thanks very much!

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
HP Recommended

Hi:

 

Yes, your notebook's product key is encrypted in the BIOS.

 

You won't need it to reinstall W10.

 

Along with using the media creation tool to create bootable installation media, you can use the HP cloud recovery tool to make a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook.

 

Here is an info link for how to use the utility...

 

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

 

Your notebook has a M.2 slot that supports NVMe SSD's, so you may want to replace the slow poke 5,400 mechanical hard drive with a much faster performing M.2 NVMe SSD.

View solution in original post

5 REPLIES 5
HP Recommended

Hi:

 

Yes, your notebook's product key is encrypted in the BIOS.

 

You won't need it to reinstall W10.

 

Along with using the media creation tool to create bootable installation media, you can use the HP cloud recovery tool to make a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook.

 

Here is an info link for how to use the utility...

 

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

 

Your notebook has a M.2 slot that supports NVMe SSD's, so you may want to replace the slow poke 5,400 mechanical hard drive with a much faster performing M.2 NVMe SSD.

HP Recommended

Thanks Paul - appreciate the quick and excellent detailed response!

HP Recommended

You're very welcome.

 

If you want to install a NVMe M.2 SSD instead of a hard drive, I recommend one of these two models.

 

I picked the 1 TB storage capacity.

 

Amazon.com: SAMSUNG 980 SSD 1TB PCle 3.0x4, NVMe M.2 2280, Internal Solid State Drive, Storage for P...

 

Amazon.com: Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN570 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen3 x4 PCIe 8Gb...

 

Below is the link to the service manual.

 

HP 15 Laptop PC Maintenance and Service Guide

 

You can also replace the 2.5" drive with a SATA 2.5" SSD but I would go with one of the NVMe drives...

 

Amazon.com: Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SA510 SATA Internal Solid State Drive SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s,...

 

Here are links to related service videos...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJXddvEkOr0

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM_i0Mhxszc

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvdNswHTjmY 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJoFRyicDSM 

 

 

Learn how to remove and replace the primary storage drive assembly for HP Notebook - 15-da0000, HP Notebook - 15-db0000, HP 250 and 255 G7 Notebook PC For other helpful videos go to http://hp.com/supportvideos or http://youtube.com/hpsupport. More support options for your HP device are available ...
Learn how to remove and replace the base enclosure for HP Notebook - 15-da0000, HP Notebook - 15-db0000, HP 250 and 255 G7 Notebook PC For other helpful videos go to http://hp.com/supportvideos or http://youtube.com/hpsupport. More support options for your HP device are available at ...
Learn how to remove and replace the solid state drive for HP Notebook - 15-da0000, HP Notebook - 15-db0000, HP 250 and 255 G7 Notebook PC For other helpful videos go to http://hp.com/supportvideos or http://youtube.com/hpsupport. More support options for your HP device are available at ...
Learn how to remove and replace the battery for HP Notebook - 15-da0000, HP Notebook - 15-db0000, HP 250 and 255 G7 Notebook PC For other helpful videos go to http://hp.com/supportvideos or http://youtube.com/hpsupport. More support options for your HP device are available at ...
HP Recommended

Thanks again Paul!  I am going to take your suggestion and upgrade to the SSD drive.  It makes sense while the machine is apart to improve it.  I did see the slot it will fit in and I was wondering about which one to choose so thank you very much.

HP Recommended

Anytime. 

 

Glad to have been of assistance. 

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