I just got a refurbished ThinkPad X250, and while it came with a licensed version of Windows, there's a malware issue and some junk files left on it. I've tried to do a factory reset, but it fails with a message saying 'no changes have been made' after I restart. I'm worried that if I format the laptop, I might lose the Windows license key since I don't have it saved. Can someone guide me on how to completely format or boot this laptop to get rid of the virus and unnecessary documents while ensuring that the licensed Windows key remains intact? I'm not very tech-savvy, so step-by-step instructions would be appreciated. Thanks!
2 Answers
If your Windows license is OEM, it's likely stored in the BIOS, so you won't lose it when formatting. Just make sure your laptop doesn't have BitLocker enabled, as that could interrupt the installation. You’ll need to create a bootable USB with the Windows Media Creation Tool—make sure you have at least an 8GB flash drive for Windows 10. After that, enter BIOS and set the USB to boot from the menu. When you install Windows, it should automatically pull the license from the BIOS. There's a link provided by Microsoft for the download, so you'll be good to go!
To format your laptop, if the reset option isn't working, use the bootable USB method I mentioned. After creating it, make sure to access your boot menu (usually through a function key like F12 or Esc when starting up) and choose the USB drive. Follow the prompts to format the hard drive and install Windows. Once it’s done, check your settings to verify that Windows has activated. You should be all set without losing your key!
Just to add, the Media Creation Tool is really user-friendly. It guides you through the process, so you should be fine even if you're not great with tech. Also, check your BIOS settings to make sure nothing's blocking the installation!