Windows 10: Existing home computer keeps asking me to Activate Windows 10

My home computer I've had for years is asking me to activate Windows 10. Several months ago, Microsoft Support helped with another problem and remotely had to reinstall Win10 Creators update. Went well for 3 months but now computer is acting wonky and keeps asking for activation. Like many others, I upgraded to 10 free. Have no idea where "digital product key" is. Activation page results in error which changes each time I run troubleshooter. Support app and "new" chat don't work. Seems it can't find where its going.


When I called Microsoft Support, they now want money for "paid technical support" or good luck. Anyone encounter this on a fine running machine that just stops working?


Great job Microsoft.


Lee

:)

 

How to format hard drive and still keep windows 10?

1) Verify it is activated by right-clicking on the start button, selecting System, scroll down to the bottom, and it should say "Windows is activated." If it does not, make sure the computer has internet access, click on activate windows now and then close it when it asks for a key. Let it sit there for a few minutes and it should switch to activated. Microsoft now has a hardware ID for you Windows 7 upgrade.

2) Install Windows 10 from the install media (likely one of the ISOs). Make sure the ISO matches what was originally installed and activated. For example, don't use a Win 10 Pro ISO to install Win 10 Home. It won't work activate.

3) Once you get back into Windows, repeat step #1 when the system has internet access. It should automatically grab the key and activate.

Windows 10 can install without a key. It just assumes trial mode if you do.

 

computer keeps asking to activate windows 10

computer keeps asking to activate windows 10 and the only key I have is the original windows 7 key which it wont accept. have installed a new hard drive and windows was reinstalled by shop. all updates are done with no problems. Robin

 

How to reinstall Windows 10 if my computers used the free upgrade from 7 and 8?

Will windows 10 still accept the license keys from 7 and 8 now if I reinstall my computer?

Does Microsoft keep a list of users who upgraded to Win 10 using their 7 and 8 keys so that when users need to reinstall windows 10 the old keys would work?

Do I need to call in Microsoft to ask them to activate my Windows 10 when I give them my win 7 keys?

Both computers are laptops. The windows 7 machine had the serial printed on the back, and I needed to enter that when I upgraded to 10. The windows 8 machine had the serial built in inside its boot system so I didn't need to enter the key when I upgraded to 10, but I did manage to write down the keys using a fetcher program.