OEM's - such as Dell - have motherboards with a custom BIOS that contains the Windows Licence Key in a 'SLIC' table. When a new version of Windwos was released, the SLIC table was changed (so, for example, XP users couldn't install Win7). Up to Windows 7. the 'key' allowed any Edition of Windows to be installed (so XP Home users culd switch to XP Pro without cost). During Win 7, the SLIC table was changed to contain the Edition - some Win7 motherboards allowed both Home and Pro, others didn't. When Win10 was released, the SLIC table had reached v3 and was only ever prescent on EFEI BIOS motherboards. However, unlike XP to Win7, when Windows 10 was released it was offered as a 'free upgrade' to Windows 7 and 8 users, both retail and OEM, none of whome had SLIC 3.0 motherboards. The free upgrade is now closed, however it is still possible for free upgrade OEM users to re-install (on the same PC) and it is still possible for Retail users to 'migrate' their 'Win 7 upgraded to 10 system' to a new PC. Step 2: How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10 When prompted to enter a product key, click 'I don't have one' or 'Do this later'. Windows 10 came preinstalled on my computer, how do I find the product key? Press Windows key + X Click Command Prompt (admin) Enter the following command: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey Hit Enter The product key will be revealed, copy the product key then enter it Click Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation > Change the product key then enter the new product key then click Next to Activate If you are unable to activate Windows 10 after all the above and you are certain you have the correct edition installed, then please attempt phone activation: RE: Clean Install of Windows 10 - What OEM Product Key to Use I called Dell Pro Support today and here is their resolution for an out of the box process: Fully Update the Windows Dell Pre-Installed OS - (In my case Windows 7 Pro) When the Windows 10 Icon appears sign up for the update When Microsoft alerts you to update - update (may take a day or so) After the update is complete, within Windows 10 - create Media for OS Install Use Media to wipe and reload system Per Dell support, the media created in step #4 can then be used on all new Dell's fresh out of the box without going through steps 1 - 4. I have not tested #4 or #5 - still waiting for Microsoft to "approve me". I assume Dell / Microsoft have not released the Dell OEM Windows 10 DVD yet so this is a workaround until they begin shipping it with systems. RE: Clean Install of Windows 10 - What OEM Product Key to Use 1. Do not create a DVD you need to create a FAT32 formatted Bootable USB for a UEFI BIOS. 2. If you are asked for a product key you have selected the wrong Edition of Windows 10. e.g. you should be installing Windows 10 Home Single Language instead of Windows 10 Home. We've left a lot of feedback on the fact users get confused between the selection of the correct OEM Edition for Windows 10 but Microsoft haven't done anything about this. The correct Edition of installation media will input the product key automatically. If you still feel you wish to know the key follow the instructions in the above guide for finding a Windows 8/8.1 OEM key instructions should be identical for a new Windows 10 OEM system. The 25 digit System Locked Preinstallation (SLP) Product Key resides with a Microsoft Digital Marker (MSDM) Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) table embedded in the Unified Extensive Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS. The correct installation media discussed below will automatically input this SLP key during installation and you should’t need to manually look it up to input it. The UEFI BIOS ACPI Table MSDM tab can be checked with RWEverything. You may also use the Windows Product Key Tool to obtain your UEFI BIOS Embedded SLP Key from your MSDM tab: A SLIC version of 2.1 is eligible for Windows 7 OEM System Locked Preinstallation. A SLIC Version of 2.0 is for Windows Vista (End of Life) and a SLIC Version of 1.0 is for Windows XP (End of Life). OEM branded installation media such as the Dell Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD will install Windows 7 OEM with a generic System Locked Preinstallation (SLP) key. If the SLIC and OEM ID match the SLP key and Windows Edition then offline product activation will occur.

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