Cheap OS with key

I need a little help I've done some work on computers before but not a lot. I have replaced hard drives but I had a recovery disc to do that with so I am a little familiar with the process. I got my old work laptop after they gave me a new one but the pulled the hard drive and the ram. So I bought some ram and a new hard drive but I need an OS so I'm trying to figure the cheapest way to get one. I've looked online and found a few places that were about $50 for windows 10 but wanted to know if anyone knew of a cheaper place to get it. This laptop will be for home personal use with the once and while VPN in to work so I don't need anything too crazy. I do have an old laptop that is really slow and that's why I'm putting this one together. I thought I could copy that drive over to my new one but I'm not sure if I can or not. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Linux = Free

 

i have never had luck copying over a drive and being able to use the OS, I have however swapped drives and been able to get it going.

Its been awhile since I have done anything like this, but I would say there is a bay full of pirates on the web that may be able to help you.

 

whats the other one? U bon too or something, again been a while since I messed with any of this stuff.

 

Ubuntu has gotten a lot better over the years. As far as windows keys, http://www.pay4key.org has been my go to for legit keys.

 

Thanks for all the responses! I've been thinking about trying Linux but I'm not sure how my other half will be able to use it. She is used to windows 10 so she may win out on this one. I may try Linux just to play around with it though.

 

Make a live USB stick, can run it and try it out without installing!! Or you can always Chuck in another HDD and dual boot!!

 

Wait, what? How do you have a laptop without a license? I don't remember the last time you could buy a laptop from any major brand and not have windows preinstalled. If it came with windows you have a license.

 

Every few years the company I work for replaces their laptops and give out the old ones minus the hard drive and ram instead of recycling them. So I grabbed one.

 

Use an old windows 7 key? Or find someone with an .edu email for a free windows 10

Or try the windows 10 with assistive tech I think it is still free

 

Before doing a complete reinstall of Win 10 from scratch, make a new install disk off of the Win 7 to free Win 10 update. You can also download Win 10 install right from MS (OT: This time I left a partition so I can reboot to Linux when needed). You can run Win 10 using the key's found here. These are not pirated keys. Win 10 really doesn't use keys anymore to counteract pirated software. These keys will let you install and run for awhile but shortly after installation you need to authenticate with Microsoft to make the install legitimate. I don't like it but you'll have to create a MS account first and log into Win 10. Corporate installations use different MS licensing during their PC builds so you don't need a MS account. Private users will be forced to purchase Win 10 if needed and then it will legitimize your OS. After that you can move your Win 10 login to a local account which doesn't require checking in with the mother ship each login. Win 10 can be pirated (I'm not going to tell you how and I don't do it) but it's much harder than Win 7.

You can use your old Win 7/10 license on a rebuilt computer as long as you don't upgrade the motherboard. Adding HDs, memory, video, peripherals , etc., will not trigger the anti-pirating function. If you do upgrade a motherboard you'll have to call Microsoft which is a pain but at least you won't have to buy a new license.

If you want a PC just to run a NAS, firewall, DVR, media server, etc. I would do as others have recommended and run a free flavor of Linux. It's really not hard to learn and it's actually quite fun.

Good luck.

 

Depends on what she uses the computer for. For websurfing, Chrome and Firefox are the same as they are on Windows. The KDE desktop is supposed to be the most "Windows-Like", so try KUbuntu or Linux Mint with the KDE desktop. Both can run entirely from disc or usb stick before install to try them out.

 

I might go this route thanks!

 

Does the computer have the sticker on the bottom for the Windows key (provided it originally shipped with a Windows 7 license). That's I'm guessing still legal.
Linux Mint is probably the most Window-like if you go the route of Linux.
Does your company participate in Microsoft HUP? Usually doesn't offer the OS as a purchase option, but worth the look. At least gives a heavy discount on MS Office.

I thought they just canned the free upgrade to Windows 10?

 

The license goes with the computer, like Chickenmunga said if you've got a sticker you've got a license. I'm sure that the google will tell you how to install windows 10 if it was ever installed on the computer. Think about it, what would the company do if the hard drive failed, buy a new license? The answer is no. Look for that sticker then come back.

 

There was no sticker and from what I found out from desktop support, the license moves over to your new laptop when they replace it. I think i'm going to try Linux.

 

Your laptop's hardware/BIOS/motherboard/etc may not smoothly support Windows 10 right out the gate. I have a 2012 HP laptop I took to 10 with their "free" upgrade. Good thing I've learned a thing or two, had to dig into the registry to make it run explorer.exe as admin so it wouldn't keep crashing my desktop every damn time it booted! Tread lightly, or else you'll be buying 2 licenses, or banging your head on a wall.
$50 for Win10 and a key is a solid price, ya cheap ass
Be even more cheap and get a Linux OS. That's what I'll do next time.

 

You could also get a key off of someone from the Microsoft software swap subreddit. Thats what I did when I built my new PC and it has been working fine. https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

 

Just throwing in another vote for Linux Mint here if you can't get Microsoft sorted. Looks and behaves just like computers always have without any changing smart phone style interface. Thats the reason I run it on my older parents and inlaw's computers. You can grab a free image/copy of 18.3 64 bit Cinnamon edition here (Great for beginners). https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

 

Check out https://b00merang.weebly.com/windows-10.html its a windows 10 theme that works on some of the most common linux desktop environments