OT: Replacing laptop hard drive

[Delmar]

I have a Dell Inspiron 11 laptop that after doing their diagnostics I think the hard drive is toast. I'm pretty sure I can replace the hard drive myself with no problem but I don't know what to do about reinstalling Windows.

The computer doesn't have a cd drive but I'm sure I could download the files to a usb drive from another computer. I don't recall the computer having any product key information for Windows. The computer came with Windows 8 installed and I had upgraded to Windows 10. I've read somewhere that in Windows 8 that the product key is in the bios and you don't need to type it in. Anybody know if that is true or have any other suggestions?

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

This is true now. I bought a Lenovo laptop last year and the first thing I did was reinstall the OS.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

Does it now have a dell sticker on he bottom of the machine with the windows key on it?

 

[Delmar]

Does it now have a dell sticker on he bottom of the machine with the windows key on it?

No, the dell sticker on the bottom only has what dell calls the service tag.

 

[Delmar]

This is true now. I bought a Lenovo laptop last year and the first thing I did was reinstall the OS.

What is true? The product key is in the bios and I don't need the number to type in?

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Yes. Just install the new hard drive and follow the installation instructions specific to your computer (You may have to use the boot menu in your bios).

 

[WrapItDog]

Upgrade to a SSD Hard Drive if it doesn't already have one.