Hi Fixer,
The easiest way around this issue would be to download the 1511 Windows 10 ISO image from Microsoft, then mount this when logged into your account, and run an In-Place upgrade of your Windows 10 choosing to keep settings and files (which allows Windows 10 to reinstall without removing private files and settings.
First confirm your Windows 10 Version and Build by typing
winver in the Start box and pressing
Enter
You'll then see this window open:
The red arrows point to the information you want.
Next in the Start box type
About your pc then press
Enter
In the window that opens look for
System type and confirm are you 32-bit or 64-bit
Next go here to download your Windows 10 ISO:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench
Scroll down the page and
Select Edition then click
Confirm, then
select Product Language and click
Confirm, then finally
click the appropriate download architecture (either 32-bit or 64-bit) which you all ready confirmed opening the About your pc window.
Note: I run Windows 10 Home edition, Version 1511 (OS Build 10586.218), 64-bit.
Thus, at Techbench I chose Edition: Windows 10, Product Language: English International, 64-bit download button
Once it has downloaded to you computer,
right-click the ISO file, select
Mount, then in the window that opens click
Setup to begin the In-place upgrade.
Note: It is good practice to disable any antivirus and firewall software before running the installation to ensure neither can interfere with the In-place installation and thus accidentally corrupt it. When you run the Setup allow 45 - 60 minutes for the installation to complete. Thus disable any antivirus / firewall applications for at least 2 hours to be safe.
If you'd like to know what happens during this upgrade and what to do on each screen as it happens then go here first:
https://neosmart.net/wiki/windows-10-repair-installation/
On that page scroll down to the Repair Windows 10 Installation section where you will see each screen and what to do with them explained.
Note: During the In-place Installation your Windows 10 OS will automatically be registered with Microsoft and thus activated with a digital license. This will be using the Product key you all ready have. No need to re-activate in other words. Provided of course the original Product key is legitimate of course.
Regards,
Regedit32
