Windows 10: Activating Windows 10 N

I recently built a PC and installed Windows 10 N on it. Thought there would be less bloat. Now, I have a Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 CD key from an old laptop HDD that isn't in use. The key doesn't activate my Windows 10 N. I get "the product key you entered didn't work. Check the product key and try again, or enter a different one. 0x80041024. I thought maybe it's because I have Windows 10 N, instead of Home edition. So, I thought I could just upgrade to Home. The ISO won't let me. Either from booting from the USB drive or running setup in Windows. When it checks what to keep, it says "install Windows 10 N"


When I use a KeyFinder on the HDD, information comes back saying "Installed from 'OEM' media."


1. Why doesn't the key work?

2. What steps do I need to take to make it work.

3. I'd like to avoid reinstalling and losing everything if at all possible.


Thanks

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

DOWNLOAD WINDOWS 10 NOW - Upgrade and ISO direct from microsoft

Click to expand... Yeah I went to that site, why do I need to buy a key?
I won't buy a key, stupid.

I'll revert back to windows 7 then.

When I still was on windows 7, about a year ago I added 4GB extra ram which is a total of 8GB now,
is that causing the problem?

 

Windows 10 N can't be removed to activate Windows 10

Did you actually use non-N Windows 10 install media to perform a clean install?

Thats what you would need to do in order to be able to use your non-Windows 10 N product key. If you haven't, follow the steps to do so:

Step 1: How
to download official Windows 10 ISO files

Step 2:

• How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10