Trying To Activate Windows 10

Marzipanogram

Marzipanogram

Marzipanogram

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6 Jul 2010
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I’m using a retail key, bought when Win8 came out.
I’ve just replaced my MoBo, CPU and RAM, and done a clean install.
But, when I try to activate, I get a message saying the key is being used on another PC.

I’ve wasted 6 calls and nearly 2 hours on the phone with Microsoft (Indian call centre), every time giving them the same installation ID and serial and each time being put on hold to the tech support.
Only for the line to drop on each occasion.
I’ve even asked for the tech support number and was given 1800 936 4949. And when I ring it, it’s not even recognised. F’kin typical.


Could someone please tell me what the correct UK tech number is (it’s supposed to be 24hr) (search using a phone is hard work), or how to I de-activate the key on “the other PC”, which I wiped, since I updated my equipment?
(I do have True Image backups of that old system, so I could reload them to deactivate, if I knew how).
Or which is the crack to use? (only joking).


Thank you OC
FU MS
 
Can you not re- install Windows 8 (activate) than run the upgrade tool to Windows 10?

Had a similar problem and doing the above worked for me and w10 activated 1st time. Funnily enough I also called MS and after giving them my product key the line went dead.

Maybe an easier way but worked for me and only took 10 mins for w8 to install.
 
if you type in the world "support" in Cortana\search box it will give you a option to "contact support" try that and see if you can do a online chat with someone. (not too sure what this loads as it doesn't work on mine, sorry!)

if W10 was activated before the mobo\ram\cpu change its because the hardware ID has changed (mobo being replaced) and will not activate.

if you don't want to waste anymore time on the phone\online chat you could re install your retail copy of 8, activate it and then do the upgrade to W10 as the free upgrade is still going to July time.
 
Rensin said:
Can you not re- install Windows 8 (activate) than run the upgrade tool to Windows 10?

Had a similar problem and doing the above worked for me and w10 activated 1st time. Funnily enough I also called MS and after giving them my product key the line went dead.

Maybe an easier way but worked for me and only took 10 mins for w8 to install.
Click to expand...

This. Oddly enough, the last step of the Windows 8 install when I was reinstalling it for someone was upgrading to Windows 10.
 
I had the exact same issue with Microsoft and a Windows 10 that wouldn't activate using a Windows 7 Ultimate retail key (doing a clean install from a previous Windows 7 install). The Indian call centre was impossible to understand and the guy I spoke to seemed to get irate that he couldn't understand the key I was reading out.

They then attempted to RDP and the guy seemed to just mess around browsing through the System 32 folder for about 30 minutes, and occasionally going back to the activation screen. In the end I was told it wasn't genuine and that I had to buy a new key for £180 from the Microsoft store. I gave up and bought another Windows 7 Ultimate retail key from eBay which activated first time. I then used the original key to install Windows 10 on another PC - I didn't waste my money, I needed another key, just that issue made me buy it sooner than planned.

But overall it proved how utterly useless the Microsoft tech support is, certainly not something I'll be using again.
 
Thank you very much for all the help and replies :)
And sorry for not replying back sooner. Been busy 'n ****.

In the end, I contacted MS again (India) and after another 30 mins, they issued my with a different Win10 key, which activates.

The person who I spoke to, didn't offer to transfer me to the "phantom" tech support number, but took access of my computer to fix the issue.
Luckily, it was a clean install and I've since re-installed Windows again.
 
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