Windows 10 activation issues

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hamish225

1318 posts

Uber Geek

# 180593 14-Sep-2015 20:06

I upgraded from Windows 8.1 and just now have upgraded to a larger ssd, the clean install of Windows seems to have picked a product key but it won't activate. I'd rather not have to wipe my drive and start again, I've already downloaded all my games again D;

Any ideas?

Also it say its windows 10 home... But I'm sure I selected pro when I created the media. Maybe that's it.. But surely it would be able to figure that out by itself and change to pro.

I'm thinking I'll need to do a phone activation, only I can't figure out how to get to it, there's no option for it anywhere.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

# 1387482 14-Sep-2015 20:41

If you have installed the wrong edition, that will do it.

hamish225

1318 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387921 15-Sep-2015 15:26

So I managed to get the correct version installed, no idea how I managed to put the 32 bit home version on instead of 64 pro...

But it still won't activate. I managed to force the phone activation and talked to a guy from Microsoft on the phone, he said I had to find my windows 8 key and put that in and windows 10 would recognise it. My initial thoughts were "uhhh that's not what I've read" but I didn't want to argue with him before I tried it, so I hung up and tried my windows 8 key and no surprises here, it didn't work.

All I did was upgrade my ssd, why must Microsoft make this so tedious?

myopinion

876 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1387928 15-Sep-2015 15:37

More here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/

For the Free Upgrade: Have You Upgraded and Activated Your Windows 10 System?

If you want to perform a clean install of Windows 10 and haven’t upgraded to Windows 10 yet on your Windows 7 or 8.1 PC, you have some extra work to do. You’ll need to take advantage of Microsoft’s upgrade offer before performing a clean install. (Obviously, if you have a PC that came with Windows 10 or you’ve purchased your own Windows 10 license, this isn’t necessary.)

When you upgrade a Windows 7 or 8.1 system to Windows 10, the installer confirms that you have a “genuine Windows” system installed and activates your computer for use with Windows 10. Note that you don’t actually get a Windows 10 product key — instead, your computer’s hardware is registered with Microsoft’s servers. When you install Windows 10 on that PC again in the future, it will check in with Microsoft’s servers, confirm it’s installed on a registered PC, and automatically activate itself.

If you don’t take advantage of the upgrade process first, this registration will never happen. There’s no way to enter a Windows 7 or 8.1 key into the Windows 10 installer, nor is there some sort of web form that will give you a Windows 10 key if you provide your Windows 7 or 8.1 key. Sorry — you’ll have to upgrade to Windows 10 before you can perform a clean install.

If you need to upgrade, you can download Microsoft’s Windows 10 media creation tool and tell it to “Upgrade this PC now.” It will automatically upgrade you to Windows 10 if your PC is running a genuine version of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Dairyxox

1495 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387930 15-Sep-2015 15:39

To clarify, did you start the original upgrade from a running, activated install of windows 8.x?

hamish225

1318 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387931 15-Sep-2015 15:40

I've already upgraded though, I had windows 10 installed on my old sdd , I was under the impression the activation was tied to your motherboard and CPU.

So do you think I should install 7, 8, 8.1 and then finally 10?

Because my windows 8 key is an upgrade one too

hamish225

1318 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387937 15-Sep-2015 15:49

Dairyxox: To clarify, did you start the original upgrade from a running, activated install of windows 8.x?

Yes, Windows 10 was running on my old ssd, when I got my new one I went and started the windows 10 install from the boot because i'd already upgraded the last time I installed it. The old ssd has been wiped.

hamish225

1318 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387945 15-Sep-2015 15:54

myopinion: you’ll have to upgrade to Windows 10 before you can perform a clean install.
If you need to upgrade, you can download Microsoft’s Windows 10 media creation tool and tell it to “Upgrade this PC now.” It will automatically upgrade you to Windows 10 if your PC is running a genuine version of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

I've already done this

It should have registered itself when I upgraded with my old ssd. Obviously upgrading my ssd has confused Microsoft and now it doesn't seem to recognise me and the idiot on the phone was the one who told me to use a windows 8 key in Windows 10

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

# 1387949 15-Sep-2015 16:00

hamish225: I've already upgraded though, I had windows 10 installed on my old sdd , I was under the impression the activation was tied to your motherboard and CPU.

So do you think I should install 7, 8, 8.1 and then finally 10?

Because my windows 8 key is an upgrade one too

No need; you get the free Windows 10 upgrade with 7

Install 7, activate, apply all updates, upgrade to 10, you will be golden.

It's a PITA but you should only need to do it the once.

Dairyxox

1495 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387952 15-Sep-2015 16:02

Okay this is a bit scary, I'm going to be doing the same thing sometime soon, and had been advised that it would work like you are expecting it to (it just matches up to my hardware 'fingerprint').

hamish225

1318 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387954 15-Sep-2015 16:07

What I don't get is why the guy on the phone told me to put a windows 8 key in. I tried to vent my frustration in that wee satisfaction survey they get you to do but that wouldn't work either.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

# 1387956 15-Sep-2015 16:10

it's probably OK if you clone your install first, allow it to connect up and activate, then do a fresh install. I think the problem you have is changing hardware and fresh install at the same time.

But yes, it's annoying that it doesn't seem their staff have been properly trained/briefed on it.

hamish225

1318 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387958 15-Sep-2015 16:10

Also, I love how Microsoft are blatantly breaching the CGA, on their store app when you go to buy a license for Windows it says "you'll be charged immediately, no refunds. Subject to the Microsoft services agreement"

Okay Microsoft let's see how well that stands up in a new Zealand court.

Hammerer

2050 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

# 1387966 15-Sep-2015 16:38

I'm not sure that you are correct. There is more than one outcome for your scenario. It is possible that the license is classified as a service (a clue might be that Microsoft is referring to its Services Agreement) in which case the CGA does not apply. The software which is classified as goods can be downloaded without charge so the CGA may not apply to it because you don't have to buy it.