trying to find MS license key

Do them all a favor and ask if they like the layout of Windows 7 better. If they do, install Classic Shell (http://www.classicshell.net) or off of Ninite.com.

That way they get the horsepower of Windows 10 but also the well known user interface of Windows 7.

We probably have 10% of our customers using the native Windows 10 UI.
 
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This. If your clients don't like the start menu, it is because the TECH doesn't like the start menu.

I have to disagree on this - most of our residential customers are retired. The native Windows 10 is a bit intimidating to them even after we clean it up for them. This is true of some of our business customers too.

Maybe it's really the "TECH likes the Window 10 menu" - we have to evaluate each customer case by case. Some like it but if they don't we aren't going to FORCE it on them just because.......
 
Installing a third-party start menu for customers was reasonable for Windows 8, because it didn't have a start menu and in the history of Windows, 8 was an aberration.

Windows 10 re-introduced the start menu which is functional and easy enough to use, so there is little reason for modding the UI with third-party start menu software.

In my opinion, techs should err on the side of keeping the OS standard. Applying tweaks in an attempt to improve assumed user difficulties will, in the long run, perpetuate or aggravate those user difficulties. The Windows 10 UI is well established now, it isn't an abberation, it's here to stay for the foreseeable future. Altering that UI for your customers only delays their exposure to it, they'll need to deal with it eventually.

Keep the UI standard unless it's totally messed up like Windows 8.
 
Installing a third-party start menu for customers was reasonable for Windows 8, because it didn't have a start menu and in the history of Windows, 8 was an aberration.

Windows 10 re-introduced the start menu which is functional and easy enough to use, so there is little reason for modding the UI with third-party start menu software.

In my opinion, techs should err on the side of keeping the OS standard. Applying tweaks in an attempt to improve assumed user difficulties will, in the long run, perpetuate or aggravate those user difficulties. The Windows 10 UI is well established now, it isn't an abberation, it's here to stay for the foreseeable future. Altering that UI for your customers only delays their exposure to it, they'll need to deal with it eventually.

Keep the UI standard unless it's totally messed up like Windows 8.
+1
 
Installing a third-party start menu for customers was reasonable for Windows 8, because it didn't have a start menu and in the history of Windows, 8 was an aberration.

Windows 10 re-introduced the start menu which is functional and easy enough to use, so there is little reason for modding the UI with third-party start menu software.

In my opinion, techs should err on the side of keeping the OS standard. Applying tweaks in an attempt to improve assumed user difficulties will, in the long run, perpetuate or aggravate those user difficulties. The Windows 10 UI is well established now, it isn't an abberation, it's here to stay for the foreseeable future. Altering that UI for your customers only delays their exposure to it, they'll need to deal with it eventually.

Keep the UI standard unless it's totally messed up like Windows 8.
+1000
 
You should be able to do a clean installation of Windows 10 on the new drive (friends don't let friends use Windows 8) and have it pick up the embedded key and activate automatically. We've done a few of these and it Just Works.

Maybe I missed something somewhere, but if the machine is licensed for Windows 8/8.1 don't you have to purchase a Win 10 license for it to activate on Win 10?

Harry Z
 
You can still upgrade any Windows 7 or 8.1 system to Windows 10 for free. Microsoft doesn't advertise it but they still allow it.
In fact if you install Windows 7/8.1 and wait a few minutes it will ask if you want to upgrade to "The New Windows" anyway. When you run Windows Update an icon appears on the desktop to "Upgrade To Windows 10."
I've done several in the last week.
 
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