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So, I have a few questions about a pretty straightforward scenario: I purchased a new laptop - namely, Dell's XPS 15 9550 - which came with Windows 10 Home (x64), and also, as usual, with a lot of other applications and bloatware which I neither like nor need, so I want to format the hard drive and do a clean Windows install.

Problem 1: Since I do not have any Windows 10 installation media, how can I reinstall Windows?
Problem 2: Since I do not have the Windows serial number that the laptop came with, how do I activate them again?
Problem 3: Since this laptop is the property of the company that I am currently working for, and not mine, I am concerned about whether this will void the laptop's warranty. Will it still be under warranty, or will I have to do a complete factory reset before I hand it in?

I thank you all very much in advance for your time.

pazof
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    Are you even authorized to change your laptop’s software if it’s company property? – Daniel B Jan 08 '16 at 11:41
  • Windows 10 will automatically activate in the case you describe you can skip entering a product key but if you are not authorized to manually remove the bloatware please don't attempt to do this yourself – Ramhound Jan 08 '16 at 11:44
  • @DanielB Yeah, they don't care what I do with it as long as I return it to them in the same state as it was on purchase time - so provided that I don't erase the recovery partition, I guess I can do whatever I want and when the time comes, I just factory reset it and voila. – pazof Jan 08 '16 at 12:05
  • @Ramhound What do you mean, they will automatically activate? How will Microsoft know that it's an original copy and not a pirated one if I do not use the vendor's original installation media - or pretty much any means whatsoever that prove that it's a legit purchase? – pazof Jan 08 '16 at 12:09
  • @Ramhound **UPDATE** - unless what Gene suggests below - that the Windows key is embedded into the UEFI system - is indeed the case. – pazof Jan 08 '16 at 12:14
  • Yes; I know it is true....Windows 10 will automatically reactiavate on any machine it was activated on in the past. How Windows 8+ keys work is well documented I expect people not asking that specific question to know they are embedded and automatically detected – Ramhound Jan 08 '16 at 12:30
  • Make your Dell recovery media before you clean install, as clean install will break the recovery partition....http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/SLN297924?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04#Refresh – Moab Jan 08 '16 at 13:40

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Since I do not have any Windows 10 installation media, how can I reinstall Windows?

You can download a copy officially from Microsoft, using the Media Creation Tool: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Since I do not have the Windows serial number that the laptop came with, how do I activate them again?

On modern systems, the Windows key is embedded into the UEFI system. Windows will automatically detect this key and should activate without any issues.

I am concerned about whether this will void the laptop's warranty

Not entirely sure about that one, but I'm very sceptical thinking that reinstalling the OS nullifies your warranty. Wasn't a problem in my support cases (I usually wiped the disk completely before sending the device in). Duplicate question: Will formatting HD and installing my own OS invalidate the warranty on laptops?

Community
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Gene
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  • Why download a copy of windows? Just go to start menu search, and search for "reinstall windows" and you can reinstall from there to a fresh install with no bloatware installed. The actual setting will be something like "Reset installation" – LPChip Jan 08 '16 at 12:07
  • @LPChip Tried that, no go - sounds interesting though, could you perhaps provide the exact name of the application? – pazof Jan 08 '16 at 12:11
  • @LPChip That will keep the partitioning scheme including recovery partitions eating your precious SSD space, if I'm not mistaken. Good call, though. – Gene Jan 08 '16 at 12:14
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    @pazof Settings > Update & security > Recovery > Reset this PC – Gene Jan 08 '16 at 12:17
  • I have still not found the time to try all of this, I will get back here as soon as I do. – pazof Jan 16 '16 at 18:29