Windows 10 Activation after big upgrade

Choaski · 9 Dec 2015 at 12:24

So, just changed everything but my GPU, done a fresh install of Windows 10, is there any way i can get it Activated using my old SSD?

It was an upgrade from Windows 7 OEM, I'm yet to put my old SSD into my config yet as i'm just grabbing drivers ect. Just don't want to have to fork out another £100 for a CD key..

ED209 · 9 Dec 2015 at 13:39

try your Windows 7 OEM key, W10 should now activate from 8.1 or 7 keys since the new update

hyperseven · 9 Dec 2015 at 15:00

But it won't match the uploaded motherboard hash from the previous install

gsf600y · 9 Dec 2015 at 20:30

I used the online microsoft chat help thing the other night. They're really helpful when it comes to getting Windows activated.

I'd done a fresh install of Windows 10 on the same hardware, and it didn't activate.
Did the online chat thing, they remote controlled my PC, and activated it for me.
Turns out I'd installed Windows 10 Home, where as previously I'd upgraded from Windows 8.1 Pro or something (I didn't realise).

What I didn't realise was that come end of July 2016 you'll no longer be able to clean install windows using your Windows 8 key - you'll have to have a Windows 10 key from that point.
So I'll do 1 final clean install in July and see how long I can run without doing it again (I like to clean install every 12-18 months).