I have an old laptop - Toshiba C40-C-10Q which has eMMC storage (30GB). It's actually my sisters kids laptop. I am going to install ZorinOS on it if I can, but if they don't like it, and I need to install Windows back on it, do I need to retrieve the key first? I don't know the password to get into windows, and they are away until next week. If I go ahead and wipe it now, will I need the key if they want windows back on or can I just install windows 10 and it will detect it? I have Zorin on USB and have it booted into the live OS now. Not sure where the key may be located if it is anywhere.
What OS was pre-installed when it was bought? Probably 10 Home, if so then the key is embedded inside the MSDM in the bios, any win 10 Consumer ISO will automatically find the key and pre-select Home (in this case) at installing the OS.
I don't think it has been touched since they got it, or upgraded, so you are probably right with the OS. That's great then, so can I go ahead and wipe it and install Zorin and wipe the windows 10 partition?
Doesn't matter what they did after buying it, the key will be there and probably already converted to HWID anyway.
Turh ...... Make a hard disk / partition copy / backup = If you dont like zorin you can just put the backup back in again = you dont have to waste time looking for keys .