Windows 10: Can't repair PC, can't re-install Win10, stuck with viruses.

I bought an iView cyber pc with Windows 8.1
Windows upgrade to 10
virus attack, mysterious bank charges, popups etc. Couldn't use PC.
so I used the Windows 10 USB boot disk and select to repair the PC, tried deleting all files, tried leaving files. Neither option works it says there's an error restoring the PC.

I tried fresh install (Microsoft didn't supply a product key so I used Magical Jellybean to obtain the product key for Win10)
in the Windows 10 Install USB I enter the product key, it says it's invalid and doesn't match any products.

tried to repair the virus issue with Malwarebytes but now PC won't load windows 10.

so I'm not sure what to do, I can't repair, can't refresh install, can't clean install, can't use my PC as it is infected with viruses. I can't install windows 7 that I have because it won't boot since it's legacy bios OS and the PC is only UEFI.
but also I've installed the Windows 7 on virtual machines before knowing the key can only be used so many times, so it won't let me anyways I'm sure. (even though it was only virtual machines running on my main Win7 pc)

anyways. Any advice would be great, I don't know what to do! It would have been helpful if Windows made a backup post-install of Windows 10 but it didn't. or if Microsoft provided a key to the email address I registered for an upgrade to 10, but they didn't

thanks in advance!

:)

 

Automatic repair not working

I also have the same problem and have tried the same strategies to correct with no luck! And stuck in limbo as I can't go back to WIN7 as my restore point not working. And this WIN10 Repair PC process is useless, grrrr

 

KB3163018 cause full screen display to BSOD or black screen

Today MS pushed KB3172985 and again causing my laptop to BSOD while displaying flash video in full screen, to make the matter worst, uninstall failed with the error message "An error occurred. Not all of the updates were successfully uninstalled". Now I
am stuck with the bad patches, can't uninstall or re-install, cannot block the patches.

Any suggestion except for re-install Win10? I already re-installed Win10 four times starting last month since the release of KB3163018.

 

Hi,

That doesn't surprise me but assuming your W10 was activated you can use a generic key to activate such as this one: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Or a valid W7 or W8 key.

You can also generate a file that allows Windows to activate by copying gatherosstate.exe from your mounted install media (it's in the "Sources" directory) to the desktop and run it as admin. It will generate a "GenuineTicket.xml file.

Copy this file to a safe place (USB stick, whatever).

After you finished your clean install follow these steps which I copied from a tutorial here on the forum:


Step 5: Keep the newly-created XML file somewhere safe, preferably on a USB Flash drive.
Step 6: Perform a fresh install of Windows 10, without upgrading. Also press Skip when you’re asked for the product key.
Step 7: When Windows 10 is ready to be used, copy GenuineTicket.xml to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ClipSVC\GenuineTicket.
Note: The ProgramData folder is hidden by default, so press View, and choose to reveal Hidden Items.
Step 8: Restart your computer so that changes take effect. When back to the desktop, press Win + Pause|Break to bring up System Info and check whether or not it got activated.

Hope this helps, *Wink

 

That is for Windows 10 Pro.

Windows 10 Home is
YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7

Those keys are for the regular, full versions of Windows 10. If you had Single Language or N version, then you will need different keys.

Do NOT use the Pro key if you did not have Windows 10 Pro installed before - you will end up with Windows 10 Pro not activated and you can't go back to home without a clean install.

 

As long as you cannot use Windows because it is infected, boot with Windows 10 DVD and delete all partitions. Then proceed to install Windows 10 in the unallocated space. When asked for a key just skip it (click Skip or Do it later). Select the same version as you had before (Home or Pro). When first online Windows 10 will activate automatically since your activation record is kept at Microsoft servers. No key required.

 

That sounds like a real mess. First. If your windows 10 was activated there is no need for a key to reinstall it. This is from the tutorial forum. Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums . Try your USB stick again this time when you get to the place where you choose which partition to use delete them all one by one until you get something like this: DRIVE 0 Unallocated Space . click on the Next button and procede with the installation. When you are asked for a key just click on skip. If it was activated before it will activate automatically.

 

When you click Skip or Do it later you may given the choice to select Home or Pro. Make sure you install the same version as you had before, or it won't activate. Then make all updates to update Windows Defender or install you own antivirus and update it. Scan all your media (USB Flash drive etc) for viruses before using them again. I know how it feels. I once had exactly the same problem back in Windows XP days and had to reinstall Windows. I remember the countless hours it took me to backup my files and reinstall all my applications again! I don't want to think about it. Next time you see a message, read it carefully before clicking next or OK! If in doubt always click Cancel or press ESC which is the same thing.

 

Thanks! I tried this but now it won't activate. It says it is windows 10 Pro and cannot activate, the key is blocked it says.
at least I have a desktop without viruses now. I'll just re-install every time it expires I guess.

 

If you ever had Windows 10 activated on the machine, you should be able to do a clean install and activate it online on the same hardware. No key is supplied, or needed. (When doing a clean install, press the little "skip" button when asked for a key.) The information is kept on Microsoft's activation servers.

If it won't activate, it's probably because you installed a different version of Win 10 than was activated before. If you know what that was (Home?), you should be able to install and activate it.

Good luck.

 

Hi,

Probably my mistake. I just assumed you were on the Pro version.

Just redo the entire operation using the generic "Home" version key NavyLCDR provided and Windows should activate.

If however you feel you're entitled to a "Pro" version then something's not quite right as it should activate using the .xml file assuming you followed the instructions to the letter.

Best, *Wink

 

Did you have Windows 10 Pro installed before or Windows 10 Home?

 

I had windows home, the strange thing is the USB installer is only wanting to install pro it seems. I enter the home key and it still says its not a valid key. I thought the USB key was universal but guess not. I forget where to download the setup program but I'll do some research and see if I can find a way to make the key Windows 10 Home. In the meantime I'll also try activating online during install, the reason I didn't the first time is because I was too lazy to type in the Wi-Fi passcode. ;P

 

There is a different generic key for each version of Windows. The product key you enter when asked during install determines which version is installed. Or you can skip entering the product key during install and the installation program will ask you which version you want to install and if you install the version you have an entitlement for it will activate automatically by retrieving the entitlement from Microsoft activation servers. You should have entered the Home product key during installation, because that is what version of Windows 10 you are entitled to. Unfortunately it is impossible to downgrade from Pro to Home.

Windows 10 Home key is
YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7

Windows 10 Pro key is
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

So, until you either do a clean install of Windows 10 Home, or purchase an upgrade to Pro, you are stuck with a non-activated version of Windows 10.

 

You can select which ISO you want and download it from Techbench Tech Bench