Windows 10: Clean install after upgrade and now not activated: troubleshooting

No I went back to Windows Pro. ...

 

You don`t have to install W7 again, you can just use your W7 key when you install W10.

But if you went back to W7 Pro, then good for you *Smile

But as brought up already, why did install W10 Pro N ?

That could have caused your activation error, why didn`t you just install W10 Pro ?

 

I have asked Lenovo for a replacement Win 7 key. They seem to have good support, but I am still not optimistic (it's a 5 year old laptop).

Obviously not a win10pro fan *Smile Cortana not charming enough?

At first I installed w10pro and got the activation error then tried the N version.
I took a screenshot of the 'about' page so know it was win10 pro, but wasn't sure if the N would show up on that page or not. That's why I tried N. Evidently the N does show up on the about page.

 

"Obviously not a win10pro fan *Smile Cortana not charming enough?"

Was that question posed at me ?

I have W10 installed, it works great. Personally I don`t use Cortana.

I switch ssd`s whenever the mood strikes me, usually once a month to keep things updated.


Doesn`t the PC have a readable COA with the W7 key ?

 

No readable COA.

I misinterpreted what you said before. Never mind*Smile

 

That`s too bad.

If you can`t read the key, then you won`t be able to activate W7. *Sad

One quick question, did you upgrade from W7 Pro ?

I`m assuming you did because you didn`t have any activation issues for a few months, I`m still wondering why it took so long for you to get a message saying you had to re activate windows *Huh

I think you would normally have 30 days to run W10 before an activation issue would arise, but you mentioned several months.

 

Excellent question, and one that needs to be answered.

 

I did upgrade from Windows 7 pro. I've requested a key from Lenovo, so will keep fingers crossed.

 

May I ask how you upgraded to Windows 10 ?

Did you use the method provided by using the Media Creation tool on this page.

Download Windows 10

And did you choose this option ?

 

There have been issues with the Microsoft Windows 10 Activation Server. I've had systems here refuse to activate with various cryptic error messages. These are systems that had valid legal Digital Licenses already stored on the activation server. Sometimes running the activation troubleshooter sorted it out. Most times I just ran slmgr /ato from an admin command prompt and they activated, and stayed activated after that.
To the OP, I would do a clean install of 10 Pro (not the N version). Click "I don't have one" when asked to enter a key. Then select 10 Pro from the menu. Finish the install, reboot, and check activation. If it failed try what I posted above. If that fails, post back here and we'll see if we can sort it out.

 

That laptop should have a COA sticker. Not made anymore and was born in Win 7 era.

 

It's sometimes hidden under the battery in the battery compartment, on those models with removable batteries. If it's on the bottom, its likely so worn now that its unreadable.

 

Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste: slmgr /dlv

Please post an image into the thread or use a one drive or drop box share link.

 

He already stated that the COA is unreadable *Smile

Post #18

If Lenovo won`t give you a key, then I would ask them if they sell Recovery Discs, they should be much cheaper then buying W7 Pro.

But, as suggested, I would give a clean install of W10 Pro another shot, and use Diskpart to clean and setup the drive 1st.

Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command - Windows 7 Help Forums

SSD Alignment - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

Before spending any money I'd clean install 10 Pro again and see if it activates this time around. If it activated after doing the first upgrade it should already have a Digital license. No need to do it (upgrade from 7) all over again if that's the case.