Windows 10: Do I need to buy a new product key or digital license?

I previously had a prebuilt PC that came with Windows 10 pre installed on it. However, I recently upgraded my PC to one I built myself, with the only parts I kept being the SSD and the RAM. Upon starting up this new PC for the first time, it tells me to activate Windows and I tried entering the old product key, which didn’t work. Do I need to buy a new product key? Also, if I don’t, would buying a new SSD require me to buy a new one?

:)

 

Windows won't activate a digital license but will with a product key?

Thank you for the insight

That's interesting. So you are suggesting after I make my next clone, I enter a generic product key in windows activation and THEN follow up with purchasing (or transferring) a digital license? Do I understand you correctly? If so, I'll try that on my next build.

It is possible. My only experience seeing it not cleared up in an hour (besides, of course, having the wrong time on my machine or a truly faulty connection) was many years ago. When I contacted Microsoft, they were able to diagnose that my license wasn't valid but couldn't tell me why. If memory serves me correctly, I attempted to move a license from a windows ten machine that initially was an upgrade from windows seven. I discovered (on this forum) that a windows ten license that was upgraded from windows seven license was not eligible to be transferred to a new machine. And I was not able to purchase a digital license. I needed a product key.

I couldn't find reputable dealers that are still selling retail windows 10 licenses (for example, Best Buy only lists the Spanish version of windows home on their website). But since I just learned that a windows 11 license can be used my concern has been allayed.

 

Windows won't activate a digital license but will with a product key?

If you plan on "transferring" a digital license from one computer to another using the activation troubleshooter and your Microsoft Account, then yes, start with the generic product key on the new computer. Actually, on a new install, you select the option for "I don't have a product key" and then after the install use the Activation Troubleshooter. Otherwise, if you are using a unique product key, either purchased or embedded in the firmware of the computer by the factory - let Windows 10/11 activate for the first time from that product key. AFTER it is activated, change the product key to the generic. One advantage to doing this is that if the original product key was OEM, changing it to the generic retail product key will also change the digital license type to retail and make it transferrable to another computer.

 

Windows won't activate a digital license but will with a product key?

1. All of my Windows run with the generic product keys. Even if I initially activate them with a unique product key, after activation, I change the product key to the generic. This ensures that I have a good, solid activation from the digital license stored on Microsoft Activation servers and can always re-activate without a product key. 2. You received an error message that Windows could not contact Microsoft Activation servers. Personally, I would have taken that at face value and assumed that there was a communication problem with MS Activation Servers and just waited a day or two and seen if it cleared up. 3. I think you just had an activation blip that occurs from time to time and the only thing I suggest is running every Windows installation with the generic product key so that you KNOW for certain that it has a solid digital license stored on Microsoft Activation Servers. Finally, your comment that Microsfoft does not sell product keys for Windows 10 anymore is fairly irrelevant because hundreds of online retailers (and brick and mortar stores like Best Buy) do.