Reinstalling WIndows 10 on pre-installed laptop without the product key

[Benderrobot]

Tried updating Windows 10 on my laptop, but did not have enough disk space. Tried using a USB stick to provide the disk space needed to do the upgrade, but couldn't get that to work. Tried doing a reset a few times but kept erroring out at 62%. Now my computer will not boot up and just keeps starting to boot then goes black, the HP logo comes up, then it goes black and over and over. I was able to do a scan to check hardware. Looks like hardware is fine. Likely a Windows 10 issue. I would like to do a clean reinstall of Windows 10, but don't have the product key and don't know how to find it. Microsoft will happily charge me $40 for a Windows 10 product key. No thanks. Has anyone had this issue?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The product key is in the BIOS.  You don' t need it to reinstall W10.

Just select the version of W10 from the list the product key is good for when the installer gets to that screen.

Also, when you get to the part where you are asked 'Where do you want to install Windows,' delete every partition on the hard drive, leaving just one partition of unallocated space and let W10 install.

That way you will have the maximum amount of drive space for a couple of programs and future Windows updates.

You can reinstall W10 by making a USB installer from the Media Creation Tool at the link below.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

After W10 installs, you can install the drivers and available software from your specific model Stream 11's support page.

[Benderrobot]

Thanks, Paul! I will give it a try. Thank you very much for your reply regarding my issue!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[Benderrobot]

Hi Paul.

Just wanted to confirm that your solution worked and I was able to reinstall Windows 10 without having to enter a product key! But, now I have a new issue. I am unable to connect to WiFi. Every time I try to connect, I get the message "Can't connect to this network."

I researched the issue and made several attempts at trying to fix the issue, but nothing has worked. Any insight you may have on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

What model wifi adapter does your notebook have?

[Benderrobot]

Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Interesting...

HP hasn't used that wifi adapter in several years.

Yours must have been one of the last models to use that wifi adapter.

Here are the links to the latest wifi and Bluetooth drivers for that model wifi adapter.

Install and restart the PC.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp78001-78500/sp78044.exe

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp75001-75500/sp75330.exe

If that fails to remedy the situation, I suggest you start a new post regarding that problem.

[Benderrobot]

Thanks, Paul! I will try this and let you know if it works.

[Benderrobot]

Totally worked! You are amazing! Thank you so much for all your help!