Windows 10 install will not accept my embedded product key. What do I do now??
Are you trying to enter the product key manually?
With Win8.1, when you do the in-place Win10 Upgrade, it's supposed to obtain the key from the UEFI onboard.
No, it doesn't. Again, (and again, and again) the previous version Windows key has nothing to do with Windows 10.
You upgrade the previous version of the OS in place first. The Windows 10 upgrade reads the activation of the previous operating system - NOT THE KEY. That creates a Windows 10 activation on Microsoft servers based on an ID created by the hardware profile - NOT THE KEY. Future activations of Windows 10 on that same computer will be based on comparing an ID created by the hardware profile - NOT THE KEY and will activate based upon comparing that hardware profile with what is stored on the Microsoft servers.Again (and again and again) you upgrade the previous version of Windows in place - NO KEYS ARE INVOLVED. If you are upgrading and it is asking for a key, something is probably wrong, but you can skip entering the key and hope for the best. Once the upgrade is successful and activated - during future installs of Windows 10 you skip entering the key and it is supposed to activate based upon the information store on Microsoft servers - which has nothing to do with the previous version's key.
navy, I'm with you..
Yes, I was entering it manually. Am I supposed to "skip" ?
I have windows 10, but I want to switch to an SSD on my laptop, since it's based on hardware stored on MS servers will I be able to safely switch to an SSD? I'm not at all concerned about losing the data I have on here, just want my windows 10 to be activated
Stop freeking out. There is actually a product key for your win 10 upgrade. However, it is well hidden in the registry of course. It may be recouped with 3rd party key/serial finders. Google, look for the ones that work off a flash (thumb) drive.
Examples: Portable Product Key Tools | Category
Those keys are useless for the upgrade. If you enter them, you will get the Blocked key message and it will never activate.
Those keys are internal, which is why Microsoft doesn't give you a new key. It's pointless. The key has no value for you, other than the fact that the MS servers insert this key internally when you upgrade.
that why I have no issue posting them..
But, by doing that, you're giving the impression that they should be used to install and activate. In other words, you're confusing people.