If I sell my Windows laptop (to buy a used Mini M2 Pro) is it easy to wipe and reinstall Windows?

[Jerry®]

I really want an Apple Silicon Mac that I could use as my main computer and because I really do not like Windows. A seller is selling a Mac Mini M2 PRO 16/512 for $350. I have an Acer Nitro V “gaming” laptop that has similar specs except I don’t know how to equate the intel processor it has (i7-7700HQ)with an M2 PRO mini. My Acer has 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512 SSD (PCIe SSD) and came with Windows 10 Home when I bought it. But the guy I bought it from didn’t nuke and pave it - long story - so, in order to get it ready to sell I’d of course want to totally wipe it and reinstall Windows but I have no idea how to do that. Can Windows 10 be reinstalled via the internet? Does it need some sort of license key #?

From a quick search on eBay looks like I could get around $350-400 for it. I have the original box and dIdd just need to wipe it and clean it up a bit.

Any advice on selling it? Getting it ready to sell? Wiping it, etc?

[special]

Windows 10 can reinstalled and it works even without an activation key. From what I understand, some features are disabled but the Windows 10 will work just fine. But if the machine came with Windows 10, there should be some activation code somewhere on the laptop or in the paperwork that came with it.


In my case, I had a Windows 7 DVD from a work laptop. My company installed their version of Windows, but they still have me that DVD when I got the new laptop. I was able to use that code to activate Windows 10 in a PC that I built myself, and now I upgraded for free to windows 11.

I think Windows is not really that strict about activation these days, my point is older codes from Windows 7 DVDs used to work back in 2020, I don't know if that still works now, but as mentioned above, you should find a code somewhere or get a new code is really cheap on eBay these days.

[Jerry®]

special wrote:
Windows 10 can reinstalled and it works even without an activation key. From what I understand, some features are disabled but the Windows 10 will work just fine. But if the machine came with Windows 10, there should be some activation code somewhere on the laptop or in the paperwork that came with it.


In my case, I had a Windows 7 DVD from a work laptop. My company installed their version of Windows, but they still have me that DVD when I got the new laptop. I was able to use that code to activate Windows 10 in a PC that I built myself, and now I upgraded for free to windows 11.

I think Windows is not really that strict about activation these days, my point is older codes from Windows 7 DVDs used to work back in 2020, I don't know if that still works now, but as mentioned above, you should find a code somewhere or get a new code is really cheap on eBay these days.

ok cool thank you!!

[kj]

Go to the Start Menu and click on Settings. Then navigate to Update & Security, and find the Recovery menu. Next, select Reset this PC and choose Get Started. If you don’t have any issues, this might be the easiest thing to do.

[Will Collier]

Here’s a simple (free) Mac app to build a Windows USB boot stick:

https://www.sysgeeker.com/online-help/wonderiso.html

[anonymouse1]

That mini will run rings around your Windows laptop, IIUC. That's a 7 year old CPU; the M2 is maybe 4 years old.

If it's a legit deal, I'd jump on it.

[clay]

anonymouse1 wrote:
the M2 is maybe 4 years old.

The M2 Pro was introed in January 2023, so just over 2 years old.

[anonymouse1]

1. Thanks for rescuing me from my sloppiness.
2. Even better!
3. That makes the deal sound even riskier--that's may be a "too good to be true" price.

clay wrote:
[quote=anonymouse1]
the M2 is maybe 4 years old.

The M2 Pro was introed in January 2023, so just over 2 years old.

[Jerry®]

anonymouse1 wrote:
That mini will run rings around your Windows laptop, IIUC. That's a 7 year old CPU; the M2 is maybe 4 years old.

If it's a legit deal, I'd jump on it.

Now I’m worried it might be sketchy because the seller said he is out of town with his sister so he asked if he can ship it to me. And he wanted a $50 down payment to hold it. Maybe I’m being too cautious? I’m worried that I send him the money and he doesn’t ship it…..

[Jerry®]

Will Collier wrote:
Here’s a simple (free) Mac app to build a Windows USB boot stick:

https://www.sysgeeker.com/online-help/wonderiso.html

So there is no option to wipe it and reinstall from the internet without using a boot stick?