Restoring Windows 11 on a prebuilt Framework 16 that has had Linux installed?

Framework Laptop 16
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Hello, forum community.

I have a question that is similar to the one raised by this thread, but not precisely the same: Changing OS on a pre-built windows configuration

I have ordered a pre-built Framework Laptop 16, which will come with Windows 11. I am considering changing from Windows 11 to Fedora on my new 16. I understand that I can install Fedora over Windows and I know how to do that. But I am curious about what happens if I decide that Fedora or Linux isn’t for me, after giving it a thorough try. Do I get a Windows product key with my pre-built Laptop 16 that I can re-use if I decide to re-install Windows 11? Or is the Laptop 16 somehow “pre-cleared” to have its Windows installation fully activated, if I re-install Windows?

Thanks in advance. This will be my first Framework computer and I am excited to have a computer that I can easily fix and upgrade myself.

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if nothing has changed, you will get access to the windows installation key over framework store. Until you click, to reveal installation key, you can return it, when you reveal it, you cannot return it.
but you can always use it to reinstall windows

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On a pre-built? I don’t recollect getting an activation key for mine on the framework website when mine came with win11. They said that it was just embedded into the mainboard because it was a stand alone single use license. I dual boot both linux and windows, daily driver is linux. I only have windows for if something isn’t compatible with linux at this point.

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you are right. I missed, that the question was about prebuilt version. Mine was DIY

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You can easily read the license key in your window installation. I can’t remember..“about Windows” I think.

Store the license number somewhere, the easiest is just to take a photo with your phone and there you have it.

Should you ever want to reinstall Windows, just download the Installer from the Microsoft website. Let it install and then just add your license number once its installed.

That’s what I did with mine. I simply recorded it with my phone. Mine has Windows 11 Pro installed on a secondary SSD, which is an expensive Lincense. Should I ever wipe the SSD, it will take me no time to reinstall a legal version of Windows if I ever want to.

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You should be able to install Windows without providing a license key, as it is provisioned with the hardware.