Windows 10: Can't activate after clean install - don't have a Windows 10 key

I've performed a clean install of Windows 10, but can't activate as I don't have a Windows 10 key.

I had been running Windows 8.1. I hadn't yet received the green light from Microsoft to download/upgrade, so I downloaded the Windows 10 media creation tool. I wasn't able to update Windows 8.1, apparently because it was installed on a drive other than C:, so I was forced to do a clean install.

What do I do? I tried entering my Windows 8.1 key, but that didn't work.

:)

 

Windows 10 Pro Error Code 0xC004C003 when trying to activate

Same here guys you are not alone after upgrade from windows 7 pro x64 I just upgrade to windows 10 pro it was activated , after that I just make full clean install becose windows 7 was on legasy mode I switch to UEFI and make clean install skip two time
to put the key and after windows was install it key was on the place but can't activate . the key is blocked or you need to connect to internet to activate the windows after restart and then again the key is blocked any help ??

 

Windows 10 OEM License Key Reactivation Error!

I have a windows 8 OEM genuine license key. I'm installing windows license key virtual box checking the key in windows 10 activation first time. my virtual machine windows 10 was activated in my windows 8 OEM key after the activation I'm cleaning my laptop
windows 10 and install fresh windows 10 again in my dell laptop and I'm using that license key again but my windows 10 can't activating.. my virtual box windows lost and windows or old data lost but my new windows can't activating how to activate the again
using the same license key please help me my OEM License key purchasing money waste..

 

you certainly can't use windows 7 or 8 keys for windows 10 activation...does windows 10 run ok.....I understand that if it is an OEM PC then it may have the product key embedded....so should auto activate over the Internet in a few days, if it is a home build, or been previously upgraded from vista or XP then this wouldn't be the case....I would have thought you could have renamed the HDD partition to 'C' before upgrading....are you able to reinstall W8 /8.1 ? if so it would be best to do the live update from the media creation tool rather than burn a DVD or boot from a USB......I had issues with my upgrade, from a W10 DVD but the live upgrade works perfectly, it should detect your W8 licence and allow the upgrade and activate......don't know if any of this helps...but not sure how you can progress from where you are unless MS activates your PC in a few days over the Internet automatically....

 

Need to upgrade 8.1 to 10 before doing a clean install.

 

You can buy a retail copy of 10, or you can reinstall 8.1 activate it and then with your win 10 media USB is best start the upgrade from within window 8 Shouldn't matter what drive letter the OS is on.
However it is very unusual for the main OS to be on another partition other than C:\ You might want to install 8.1 back to your C:\ partition.

 

No doubt

 

You HAVE to take a running and ACTIVATED copy of Windows 8.1 and run the upgrade to take it from Windows 8.1 to 10. When you do this, a "unique" hash will be recorded by the Microsoft servers for your machine. From this point on, you can clean install Windows 10 by just hitting "Skip" when asked for a key and when your machine connects to the Internet, it will supply that "unique" hash to the activation servers and they will recognize it as a machine that previously upgraded and now has a valid Windows 10 license and it will simply activate.

In the event that your hardware substantially changes, your hash will then change. You will then be forced to call MS and supply them with the new install code and it will then know about your new "unique" hash. They will do this free of charge, it just requires either a phone call or a robo call.

 

They have not been doing that for free with Windows 10. Microsoft has been telling people to install Windows 7/8/8.1 on the new hardware and do another upgrade.

Also, post #2 is very mistaken. Windows 10 will not read an embedded Windows 7/8/8.1 key from bios. The first upgrade must be from an installed Windows 7/8/8.1 operating that is activated and running.

 

the embedded code idea came from some research on the Internet ....unfortunately only about 50% of what is seen is ever accurate......I think I said it 'may' do this.....if you say it will not, then I accept this as true.....

 

I had the same activation problem . MS told me to reinstall win 8.1, activate then upgrade to win 10 then if I wanted I could do a clean install on same device .
I cant believe its over 2 weeks now and this subject of activation is still being problematic . I thought MS might have produced an update to let users use the embedded product key , I mean your not in any way cheating .

 

Where was your original OS installed and where is your current OS installed?

 

This is an intentional move my Microsoft, as far as their concerned there is no problem, beside people misunderstanding or not reading up before hand.

 

Belarc Advisor 8.5 running this will reveal any Microsoft keys. Even my Windows 8.1 free upgrade showed a key. I ran it on my Windows 10 home version it also showed my Microsoft key. I am not sure this will help the thread starter but it may help others. Belarc advisor is free.

Products: Belarc Advisor

 

All sorts of ways to recover the keys but they're useless. The answer has been pointed out several times in this thread- reinstall 8.1, upgrade it to 10 and then do your clean install.