Windows 10: Cannot activate genuine copy after clean install

All lamenting done... we can still give the old lady her Win 7 back...and upgrade to Win 10 - focus on positivity rather, I'd say.

 

Actually, he can't. He wiped it out and the product key is worn off the COA sticker.

 

Hey guys, this is an OEM-built (HP?) system right? I think he could call them and order W7 re-installation/recovery disks for a reasonable price (like $25-$40 or so?), and get W7 back on there, then upgrade (or grab key and clean install). Is she willing to pay that and wait a few days for that to arrive?

 

Yes we can... we use the Win 7 SLIC and restore the SLP activation - see a previous post of mine in this thread. Solved Cannot activate genuine copy after clean install - Windows 10 Forums

 

Just to make sure I understand this correctly. A clean install of Windows 10. No windows.old folder. No Windows 7 product key. No manufacturer's Windows 7 restore disks. Windows 7 activation can be restored?

 

Without having a 7 key why spend on 7 when he could easily get a "10" key direct from the MS online store? That has already been mentioned earlier since he found himself in this "Catch 22" type situation when realizing the original OEM key was lost.

As for simply downloading any OS in iso form that doesn't verify anything while the checksum for the download itself is what often needs verification. With the MC Tool the initial first option is to upgrade on the spot while connected online before the usb flash drive, burn to dvd, and save "Windows.iso" download to a local drive options are seen. Even by simply mounting the iso download on a virtual cd rom drive the upgrade would have seen the initial activation needed.

As for the 7 SLIC that if on the same label as the original OEM would have been lost as well while having the serial number and purschase information would be the only option at this by contacting dealer or manufacturer. Otherwise a trip to the MS online store would seem to be the most via option to get the 10 license for a low price there and call it a day with lesson learned.

 

Windows 7 licenses are cheaper than full retail Windows 10 purchased from Microsoft. That would be one good reason.

 

Someone here got a fresh install activated when buying it for only $40. Some others have also mentioned buying 8, 8.1 licenses as well as for any $40. The user I am referring to had opened a chat windows with someone at MS apparently.

That was Post #35 on the thread seen at Product Key - View in Windows 10 - Page 4 - Windows 10 Forums

 

Affirmative.

Reason I'm thinking this route - is that it may be an older PC and a new key may be wasted on it if it's reaching the end of the road (unless it's full retail,of course - which can be transferred - on that note, I wonder if MS dishes out retail, upgrade or system builder keys via their online tech's?)

 

I have an HP laptop - well, an HP Compaq Presario to be more precise, and theWindows 7 Home Premium COA label is unintelligible.

However, if the label is observed indoors with natural daylight from a window, at various angles of incidence, the imprint of the product key is still discernible, and with a small short focal length hand lens with 5x to 10x magnification, or a macro focus with a digital camera (or cellphone camera) it is possible to reconstruct the product key.

For further information, the oem:slp key for HP Home Premium has a big clue here:
Windows 7 Build 7601 - This copy of Windows is not genuine - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

... I have heard that brushing nail polish remover on it lightly may make it more distinct as well.

EDIT: or it could be clear nail polish, rather - can't recall off hand.

 

Clear not anything with a color might act like a magnifying glass provided and that is "Provided" the label was only scaped against without scraped digging into the surface where the print is gone for good! Contacting the vendor if not a retail outlet for customer purchase info and contacting the OEM might be the better long route to take while the quick and reliable is simply trying the live chat with MS route to see about a price break.

 

Just for kicks and giggles... I set up this VM as an HP OEM PC...

 

I set up a totally new VM here overnight. The Threshold 2 started things off to be followed by the attempt to upgrade over that with the latest Insider build which stalled first not able to take the 10 OEM for System Builders type key and then invalid upgrade path while both are the 64bit 10 Pro?

I then saw a second partition created on the VHD and copied the entire "$Windows~BT" folder over from the C part after that came from the previous VM upgrade backed up to a storage drive and found with the boot.wim file missing. Fortunately the 10279 was still in a folder for the sources sub having it to copy over and there she goes! It took a 7 key and all went well since I had one to throw at it that is. Even made a wallpaper from it!





Essentially the complete installation files for one edition namely what is downloaded and unpacked is found on the 10 media only right there on the drive. That was made from a snipping of the VM itself which then saw a "10" insert tossed on. Unfortunately for pivlit2 all this means nothing not having the laptop's OEM key to work with. A data recovery program might be able to get something back that wasn't overwritten by a rare chance but no guaranty on that at all.

 

before i post a link to help others out i wanted to make sure i was not doing anything wrong.I do know a site that sells windows 10 pro oem keys for under $30 u.s i have bought 3 copys already an i was scared at first but the site came recommended from pauls hardware channel on youtube he is the same guy who does newegg how to videos. so if i can give the site let me know ill share an if not maybe others can pm me?