Windows 10: Activate Windows 10

Hey John,

I'd say wait until tomorrow to see how it goes since all the preview keys have been blocked for activation.

Currently, 10 will be activated if you upgrade from an activated Windows 7 or 8.

 

I installed 10240 this AM and it is activated (update from Win 7 Pro)

 

Ok mate will wait till tomorrow or the end of the week unlike Gary who has got lucky. Funny thing was the desktop activated to Pro when the original install was 7 Home Premium?? - not grumbling of course*Wink

 

I was not lucky just a member of the insiders group.

 

Yesmate so was I I signed up ages ago when the offer became available *Huh

 

I am still unable to activate Windows 10 after clean install so contacted Microsoft support here in the UK for assistance.

The reply I got was quite surprising "Microsoft does not recommend a clean install, we only recommend updating from your original Windows version as this must be present to activate 10"

So I have done a clean install, I am unable to activate Windows 10, so I seem to have two choices; buy Windows 10 or revert to Windows 7.

 

O_O

 

Hello isbyrne, and welcome to Ten Forums.

That's correct. In order to activate the free Windows 10 offer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 from an activated Windows 7/8.1 PC. This is what registers the Windows 10 activation for that PC.

Once you do this, you will then be able to clean install Windows 10 afterwards since the PC is now registered at Microsoft for the free Windows 10 activation.

I'm afraid that you'll need to reinstall and activate Windows 7, then upgrade to 10. *Sad

Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums

 

I can't activate my Insider Preview W10 B10240.
The key shown in the tutorial instantly fails.

I guess I can go back to using a Local Account, since I can't activate this build and last week's build update doesn't appear in my update list.

 

Yeah, that was an old preview key. All Insider preview keys have been blocked, and will no longer activate.

Did you want to use the free Windows 10 offer to upgrade to 10 on an activated 7/8.1 PC?

 

There's no chance of W10 replacing W7 on my Desktop.
I had been considering updating my laptop.

However since my VM has become "glitchy" after applying the initial b10240 update, I think I'll skip it there too.
Also, I don't really want to waste time fixing my dual boot setup (LM17.2) which will inevitably get screwed up if I try to install W10 on it.

If I change my mind I can always install the "Get W10" updates in W7.

 

Hello. I have upgraded my Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 in order to then perform a clean installation. I have the USB stick ready, created using MS media creation software. I have however read that users are having varied experiences with activating Windows 10. After doing some research I came across this article on MS website: How to Activate and resolve common Product key issues in Windows 10 - Microsoft Community

This indicates that Win10 does not require actual activation via a Serial Number. That article is dated Jan 2015 however and I am wondering if this is actually still the case. Can anyone confirm please?

 

Hello rootsrat, and welcome to Ten Forums.

When you upgrade to the free Windows 10 on an activated Windows 7/8.1, the PC is registered on the Microsoft activation servers for the Windows 10 activation.

This is how you are able to later do a clean install of Windows 10 on the same PC without entering a key (skip) during Windows Setup, and is still activated afterwards.

 

This question is for Brink.
Can a longtime windows insider do a clean install and will it activate?

 

Dear Brink - In Option Three above it is stated to type slmgr/ipk Product Activation Key - in the Command Prompt Window. I did that and my Windows 10 Home install did exactly what was printed there. I have been struggling with whether or not my Windows 8.1 key from the registry was activated or not. All I can readily see is that Activation switched to on the Internet. Does that mean that it will eventually Activate Windows if I installed Windows 10 from a USB?