Selling laptop. How do I reinstall windows if I don't have a cd/usb?

Basically if I'm selling my laptop to someone else I don't want any of my private information on there so I'd like to reinstall windows and have everything basically revert to factory settings. Problem is, I don't have a cd or usb. On my desktop I would just reinstall windows and add my product key after but I don't know what the product key is on my laptop (It's on windows 8.1). How would I solve this issue?

 

just keep your HDD/SSD.

if your laptop comes with an OS then the key is usually printed on a sticker at the bottom of your laptop.

 

Google "Windows Product Key Finder" and download one of the tools that will help you reveal your Windows Product Key, then note it down

Then get an ISO of the version of Windows you are trying to install and install it using that product key.

 

If it came with 8 or 8.1 preinstalled then the key should be in the BIOS and you shouldn't have to enter it during install.


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Oh I didn't know that. Thanks! Will microsoft recognize that the product key isn't being used twice?

 

They don't care. Just like in the past when you could reinstall windows (daily if you like), and could use the key on the COA sticker as many times as you'd like.


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I would still use a product key finder though and make sure you have the proper one.

 

Some laptops have hidden partition with Win image. Either look in manual, or control panel/administrative tools/storage/disk management (using icon view). Should be 10-15 GB partition with factory image on it, that will have all necessary drivers as well. If you're paranoid,delete all your files and wipe free space with cc cleaner (drive wiper/1 or 2 pass) or something similar.

 

Press Win+C to open charms bar. Open settings (or whatever it was), then backup and recovery (or whatever it is) and there should be option to reinstall OS.

Don't have 8.1 computer with me right now to check it.