Hello.
I have just completed a clean install of windows 10 (the upgrade from windows 7 failed 5 times) and I cant work out how to activate my copy. I reserved my copy on windows 7 but it is now asking for a serial key?
This is my main PC and I would really be grateful if someone could assist me.
Thanks
Adam
Do you have the install key for Windows 7 (from a "sticker" on computer or from packaging that came with Win7 disk)?
You are supposed to do an "Upgrade" install then once that is activated, you can go back and do a clean install. It seems you may have skipped a step.
I do have my windows 7 code here, Shall I try that?Do you have the install key for Windows 7 (from a "sticker" on computer or from packaging that came with Win7 disk)?
You are supposed to do an "Upgrade" install then once that is activated, you can go back and do a clean install. It seems you may have skipped a step.
If this fails what should I do, I installed it via the USB.
Thank you for your help so far
Ahh and just to add, the code did not work
Hello Adam, and welcome to windowssh blog.
If you did a clean install without upgrading first like below, then Windows 10 will not activate.
Can I reinstall Windows 10 on my computer after upgrading with free upgrade?
Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer or Media Creation Tool on an activated Windows 7 or 8.1 PC, you will be able to reinstall, including a clean install, on the same device. You won’t need a product key for re-activations on the same hardware. If you make a meaningful change to your hardware, you may need to contact customer support to help with activation. You’ll also be able to create your own installation media like a USB drive or DVD, and use that to upgrade your device or reinstall after you’ve upgraded.
Thank you for the information.
What steps shall I take to get my Windows 10 activated?
Brink gave the explanation above. You'll need a previous version of 7/8/8/1 installed and activated first. I'd install Windows 7 clean, and then activate it with your existing key. Once that's done, upgrade to Windows 10 and that will activate. Going forward, you'd be able to do a clean install of Windows 10 on that computer.
Ok. Thank you for your reply's. I was wondering if there was any other way (I unplugged my DVD Drive).
Thanks again
You could use a USB flash drive instead of DVD to install Windows 7 again, but you'll need it's key to activate Windows 7 before upgrading to Windows 10.
Put another way, you have to go back to your prior Windows install and do the upgrade on that.
If you have no way to return to your prior Windows install, you can't activate Windows 10 using the free upgrade.
That being said, if you have your older OS key you should still be able to pull the install down for that OS and use the key to re-install. Your hardware would still match what Microsoft has recorded against your key, so that fresh install of the old OS should activate. You then proceed with the upgrade, then finally after the upgrade to Windows 10 is activated, you blow away the old OS for good and go back to fresh Windows 10.
Note: Typed and posted while the other other prior posts were created....
