installing 25H2 from scratch

[Tracey2032]

Do I need to have the Windows 11 Product Key to install Windows 11 25H2 from scratch.

I want to install Windows as a local account,  not a Microsoft Account

I installed a "free" program to check it out and it knew my email address which I did NOT supply and I can only assume it obtained it from the coerced  registering the HP laptop using a Microsoft Account.

If so, how do find the Windows 11 Product Key to reinstall Windows 11.

Please advise, Thanks

FWIW a Microsoft Account should only be optional not mandatory.

[resistencia]

Hi @Tracey2032 

To change the account, you don't need to reinstall Windows. You can do it by following these steps:

Change From a Local Account to a Microsoft Account in Windows - Microsoft Support

Change from a Microsoft account to a local account

You can use the Settings app to switch your Microsoft account to a local account.

Important: Microsoft recommends using a Microsoft account, not a local account, when signing in to Windows. Using a Microsoft account in Windows allows for seamless integration of Microsoft services, enhanced security, and sync across devices, unlike a local account.

1. In the Settings app  on your Windows device, select Accounts > Your info, or use the following shortcut:

   Your info

2. Select Sign in with a local account instead. You'll see this link only if you're using a Microsoft account

3. Type the username, password, and password hint. The username must be different than any others on the device

4. Select Next, then select Sign out and finish. Sign back in with your new local account

[Tracey2032]

How do find the Windows 11 Product Key to reinstall Windows 11?

I searched on the internet and 2 solutions gave me 2 different numbers.

Please advise, Thanks

BTW I have another reason to reinstall Windows 11, I installed several trial programs to choose 1 and uninstall the others.

One of the ones I uninstalled still has over 3 dozen registry entries that were left behind: that are not removed/deleted.

Windows 11 registry is too complicated for me to manually remove registry entries.

[resistencia]

Did the PC come with Windows 11 pre-installed? The license is stored in the BIOS. If you had Windows 10, it will only activate for Windows 10, and then you must upgrade to Windows 11. However, you cannot use Windows 11 directly if you previously had Windows 10 installed.

To find the license number, open CMD as administrator and type:

 wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

[Tracey2032]

I pasted the cmd string with the following results (Did I do something wrong):

I also tried this in Terminal (Admin)  as shown  below.

Please advise, Thanks

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26100.6899]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\System32>wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
'wmic' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Windows\System32>

=================================================

Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Install the latest PowerShell for new features and improvements! https://aka.ms/PSWindows

PS C:\Users\User> wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
wmic : The term 'wmic' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check
the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1
+ wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
+ ~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (wmic:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

PS C:\Users\User>

[resistencia · Accepted solution]

This is because you never installed this hardware when you had Windows 10. Now you just need to follow these steps. In Windows 11, this will no longer be possible in the future.

How to install WMIC Feature on Demand on Windows 11 | Windows IT Pro Blog

What's new in Windows 11, version 25H2 for IT pros | Microsoft Learn

[Tracey2032]

Basically you told me to install WMIC, so I did.

Previously, it was suggested to me that I install/update PowerShell, which I did.

#1 Are there any other HP/Windows 11 'maintenance'/'service' tools that I should install (see #2 below)?

I want be well equipped to handle any issue that may arise without seeking out internet access.

Please advise, Thanks

#2 I do NOT have internet at home so I would like to download what I can as an offline-install (w/o internet access) if at all possible.

[resistencia]

You already have the basics; I don't know of anything else you need to install.