I never received a activation/product key for my version of W10 which was downloaded from the official Microsoft website over a year ago. How can I proceed to upgrade to the latest Anniversary update as I don`t have the required key/code. Thanks in advance.
If you downloaded W10 within the first year and activated, no key is required for the update.
How is your Windows 10 activated now?
Use the second method here :
http://www.groovypost.com/howto/3-ways-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-anniversary-update/
I did install W10 in within the first year. I think I`m gonna have to wait till MS release the update in my country.
Its not activated as I never received a key. Seems you don`t need one if I got it in the first year.
If it is not activated then it violates the End Users License Agreement to be using it:
5. Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only ifyou are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to confirm the software is genuine and the license is associated with the licensed device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone.
Let me lay it out:
If you upgraded to W10 in the first year for free - You DONT get a key. You get an entitlement for that system.
If you are saying you need a key now to upgrade, then you are contradicting yourself, because a valid upgrade will have activated and you have ZERO need of a key to perform the Anniv update.
I feel the mod hammer coming ...
That`s a screenshot. Hope that helps.
Try changing your product key to:
YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7
that is the proper Windows 10 Home product key that should be installed if you upgraded from a previous Windows 7/8/8.1.
If that product key does not give you an activation, then you need to purchase a product key for Windows 10.
After you change the product key, you can open a command prompt (admin) windows (right click on the start icon, it's one of the choices there) and run the following two commands:
slmgr /ato
slmgr /dlv
the two result windows will tell us if it activated, and if not might give a clue as to why not.
Downloading it in the first year doesn't count. You need to complete the installation (have it running) from the download. If you just downloaded it, it's not activated.
If you are installing it on a machine that had 7/8.1 genuine on it, Microsoft activates it AFTER installation in what's called a "digital entitlement". You would need no key. Microsoft's servers know you're legit.
If that sentence doesn't apply to you, quoting NavyLCDR above:you need to purchase a product key for Windows 10.