Installing Windows 10 on NEW SSD

[PJ03]

I have bad clusters on my current hard drive - HP laptop,  X7U96UA#ABA / 15-au147cl, and after a Windows 10 update it's all messed up.  Problems such as MANY of my programs not loading, many of which if I try to re-install won't re-install stating the program is ALREADY installed, etc.  More examples:  If I try to open a command prompt, it might take 30 + minutes for it to open; it takes about 30 minutes to start and/or restart, too (sometimes longer); one day it literally took an hour for "regedit" to open when I was wanting to look there for my Windows 10 product key.  I've tried every trick known to man to correct the problems but apparently it has something to do with the bad clusters.  It seems that the HP Support Assistant can only detect that I need a new battery.  So, I am about to purchase a SSD, and obviously I will want to install a NEW version of Windows 10 on the new hard drive. 

Questions:

1 - Is it possible for me to download a FREE version of Windows 10, using my CURRENT Windows 10 product key that's on my current hard drive to get it FREE at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10?   I had rather have Windows Pro, but it's only Windows Home on my laptop.  

2 - I will obviously need all of the drivers that came with my laptop, too.  Will Microsoft Windows install those automatically? 

3 - Will I need a CD emulator to mount the ISO as a virtual disk?

4 - Does anyone have a link to show the fastest 500GB or 1 TB 2.5" SSD that would work with my laptop?

5 - I am also wanting to purchase a new battery.  This one is dead and yesterday the power/electricity flashed off for just a second and obviously my laptop shut down.  AUGH!  Type of battery for this laptop?  When I tried using the HP Support Assistant and clicked to "Find a replacement battery" and/or "Find HP batteries" it only brings up a website in which I can enter my zip code to "Find an HP authorized service center near you" but I don't need someone to install the battery for me.  And I prefer to order it online, preferably Amazon (for quick delivery). 

6 - Is there anything else I need to be aware of before starting the download and installation of Windows 10?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

What I suggest you do is to make a bootable USB recovery drive using the HP Cloud recovery tool with another PC running W7 64 bit or newer that will install W10, the drivers and the software that should have originally come with the PC.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.  You will also need a 32 GB USB flash drive to create the recovery media with.

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

According to the recovery tool's website database, your PC's product number, X7U96UA#ABA, is supported.

The parts list for your notebook lists the battery part number.

HP PartSurfer

I doubt you will be able to find a new original HP battery, so you will need to buy a generic one that is compatible by searching by the HP part number for the battery. 

Below is the link to the service manual.

HP Pavilion Notebook PC Maintenance and Service Guide

I'd go with this model 1 TB SSD.  It has the fastest read/write speeds for the price.

Amazon.com: SanDisk Ultra 3D NAND 1TB Internal SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 560 MB/s - SDS...

[PJ03]

So, when using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool. . . if I have a "desktop" PC with Windows 10 "Pro" on it, I can use that to make the  bootable USB recovery drive?  And if I can use that desktop PC, I will be able to download and use Windows 10 "Pro" on my "laptop"?   Am I understanding that part correct?  And, I can use the HP Cloud Recovery Tool on the desktop even though it is not HP?

You are being so incredibly helpful, Paul!  Truly, so very appreciated!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, you can use any model PC--notebook or desktop, running W7 64 bit or newer to create the HP recovery media with.

Since your notebook has a W10 Home product key in the BIOS, there is no way to clean install W10 Pro, because no matter what you do, you will end up with W10 Home.

There is only one way to upgrade a PC that came with W10 Home to W10 Pro, and that is to read the instructions at the link below:

Upgrade Windows Home to Windows Pro (microsoft.com)

If you do not currently have a W10 Pro license/product key to use, you will have to pay $99 to upgrade from Home to Pro.

You can also use a W7, W8, or W8.1 Pro product key instead if you have one, to upgrade to W10 Pro.

See this link for more info...

How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro for free | ZDNET

[PJ03]

Thank you so much for your thorough explanation, Paul.  It was so very helpful and so easily understood. 

I used the link you shared for the SSD but that drive cannot be delivered until the later part of November.  If you'd like to share another link, I will happily check it out.  But if you don't have time for that, I definitely understand and I will simply search Amazon.

Again, thank you so much for your kindness and professional replies.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

This one would have the equivalent specs as the Sandisk, but it costs a bit more.

Amazon.com: Western Digital 1TB WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 5...

There is also the newer model, which is very reasonable, but the write speeds are a bit slower than the old generation SSD above.

Amazon.com: Western Digital 1TB WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 5...

[PJ03]

I found a replacement battery and also ordered your 1st suggested WD brand SSD from Amazon, Paul.  Now to get better prepared to start the process (copying a few more things to an external drive, etc.) as I await for the delivery of the battery and the hard drive.  Any more advice?  🙂

Any recommendations for antivirus and security protection for Windows 10?

Thank you again for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Glad you found a new battery for your notebook.

I can't think of anything else that you need to do.

I just use the free standard Windows Defender antivirus security protection that is built into W10.

You should be good to go!

[PJ03]

Obviously I will be replacing the battery at the same time I replace my hard drive. . . so I am wondering if there is information regarding calibrating the battery.  And also, is there a specific method for charging the battery the first time?   It is okay to replace the hard and the battery at the same time, right?  I would hate to have to install the new battery and charge it and then go back and install the hard drive, but obviously if that would be best I can do it that way.  Any help, shared links, etc.  with this will be so greatly appreciated.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I don't see any reason why you can't replace the battery and 2.5" drive at the same time.

Here's a video from HP on how to calibrate the battery.

Calibrate the Battery on HP Notebooks | HP Computers | @HPSupport - YouTube