Unable to activate Windows 10 on new build.

kinger8938 · 23 Dec 2019 at 09:42

I have just assembled my new build with Windows 10. I signed in to my account that is linked to my previous PC/Copy of windows 10 but its throwing up an unable to activate message.

It detects the old system, and I was under the impression I just say theres been a hardware change and it would let me use my old copy.

It was a Windows 7 to 10 free upgrade originally. It was a version I bought at retail and installed to my last build then upgraded to 10 with the program they ran at that time.

Any help greatly appreciated!

(I also originally messed up by installing Home when the version on my Account is Pro. So reinstalled it as Pro this morning and now cant get past this message)

Ta

VaderDSL · 23 Dec 2019 at 09:45

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/10738/windows-10-get-help-with-activation-errors any help? There's a section near the top that shows a few things to look at regarding the hardware change error.

Quartz · 23 Dec 2019 at 10:15

kinger8938 said:
It was a Windows 7 to 10 free upgrade originally. It was a version I bought at retail and installed to my last build then upgraded to 10 with the program they ran at that time.

The free upgrade is tied to hardware.

Admiral Huddy · 23 Dec 2019 at 10:17

Quartz said:
The free upgrade is tied to hardware.

Is this true for a previous retail key?

I've upgraded twice on win10 on my old win 7 retail key.

kinger8938 said:
...
Ta

Maybe a daft question.. did you use the key that was assigned to the previous Windows 10 install? Make sure you use the original Windows 7 retail key on the box. My last activation failed because I was using the previous win 10 licence code, not the win 7 retail. My guess is that it allocates a win10 OEM each time.

Ree · 23 Dec 2019 at 10:20

i had this and all i did was enter my old windows 7 key and it did the trick.

Quartz · 23 Dec 2019 at 10:24

Admiral Huddy said:
Is this true for a previous retail key?

It's supposed to be.

kinger8938 · 23 Dec 2019 at 10:46

ree said:
i had this and all i did was enter my old windows 7 key and it did the trick.

Hmm maybe I'll have a search for my original windows 7 case and key. Not sure if I still have it! Thanks

Ree · 23 Dec 2019 at 10:50

kinger8938 said:
Hmm maybe I'll have a search for my original windows 7 case and key. Not sure if I still have it! Thanks

should contact microsoft if you cant find it and maybe they will help you out or worst case get a key off the bay for a few quid.

MouthBoy · 23 Dec 2019 at 11:29

I have had this many times, but last week with my new upgrade I just used my original win7 key and it worked.

I believe that a retail 7 to 10 key can be used for one hardware upgrade only then it stops, however I normally just chat to MS and they resolve it for me.

kinger8938 · 23 Dec 2019 at 11:34

Just had a thought. Think I'm misremembering. I had a disc for vista I think.

I was given a key for Windows 7 by a mate who was given official software as part of his Uni course I think.

I wont have that code anywhere now I doubt, this was years ago. Completely forgot about that!

Admiral Huddy · 23 Dec 2019 at 11:46

That will be the problem.

kinger8938 · 23 Dec 2019 at 11:48

Admiral Huddy said:
That will be the problem.

Yep. Excuse me for that, it's been so long I completely blanked it out.

So now can I ask!

Which version do I need Home or Pro? And where can I get a good price?

I use the PC solely for gaming. Any downside to home or benefit to pro?

kinger8938 · 23 Dec 2019 at 12:55

Thought I would try MS support. They looked into it, took proof of my hardware change and issued me a new product key so all is good now

Blackjack Davy · 29 Dec 2019 at 00:28

Activation is funny thing tried the clean install route using an existing key on my old PC via upgrade tool but it wasn't having any of it. I still had a very old backup lying around basically a clean install of win 7 activated, so tried restoring that and then the upgrade tool. After some shenanigans involving resizing partitions it finally accepted it and the "upgrade" went through except its not a Win 10 key its activated instead via "digital licence" whatever that means.

Destination · 29 Dec 2019 at 16:18

ree said:
i had this and all i did was enter my old windows 7 key and it did the trick.

I did the same, used the old win7 key and no issues

p_r_i_m_e · 8 Jan 2020 at 20:31

I've always had far more luck when stuck trying to activate W10 by calling the telephone activation system and eventually getting through to a human, explain the situation and they have activated it.

sidthesexist · 14 Jan 2020 at 10:47

kinger8938 said:
Thought I would try MS support. They looked into it, took proof of my hardware change and issued me a new product key so all is good now

Had to do the same yesterday.