Windows 10: Cant change product key?

I got this answer from Microsoft Support.

I was trying to activate a copy of Windows 10 on my sons PC , but for some reason it was coming up as an invalid key (Even though he had a valid version of Windows 8.1 installed previously).

After talking to various support people I got passed up to a senior support person.

Currently , the ONLY way to activate free copies of windows 10 which are having issues getting the activation to work (for invalid key etc) is to go back to the previous OS you had activated , then re-install windows 10 upgrade.

They currently don't have the tools to 'fix' the activation issues manually , (Though the person said work was being done on the tools to allow this and it should be possible 'soon')

 

I had the same problem with a fresh install when I allowed Windows 10 to update itself before changing the product key. Going back to a fresh install of Windows 10 and THEN IMMEDIATELY going to Settings, Activation, Change Product Key allowed me to change the product key and activate.

 

Type cmd in the search bar, then right click and 'Run as administrator'

In the terminal type:

slmgr.vbs /ipk KEY
slmgr.vbs /ato

Where KEY is your legitimate Windows 10 key.

Best,

Guy

 

You have replied to a five month old post!

 

Thank you man. This helped me.

 

In the search bar, enter "changepk.exe" and hit enter. The window appears.