Windows 10: Frustrating Update, Lost Key

Hi all,


TL;DR: my old Windows key is tied to a University email account that I no longer have access to and I am unable to reactivate my Windows 10 now. Is there any way of proving my purchase or somehow retrieving the old key?


This all started when I updated to the latest Windows 10 update.


I turned on my computer and tried to login with a known good password never changed and I was presented with the prompt "you can't sign in with this account". Also, administrator rights were stripped from the single account that was on the PC.


Because admin rights were stripped and I was unable to login, I could not access command prompt, reverting back to previous versions, etc. I had MS customer service on the line confirming that I wasn't doing anything abnormal and that yes, the Windows is locked for good.


The technician explained to me that I would be unable to recover the PC and that I need to install a fresh Windows 10 OS. I would lose my programs, but I should have all of my data present which I already backed up the week prior; no big deal.


I got a fresh USB key, loaded the Windows 10 Installer, and started fresh with my sorta new PC. Now, I am getting a "We can't activate Windows without a product key" error. I spoke to customer service a second time and she told me to just buy another Windows Pro copy.


Is there any other options that the community has found to recover a key that I once had access to? It's a little crazy to me that a Windows update can lock me out of my own PC and cause me to buy another copy of Windows.

:)

 

Lost Windows Key

Hi Saravanan,

I would suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps.

To start Product Activation:

• Go to Start, then select Settings, choose
  Update & security, and then select Activation.
• If your device is not activated, the Activate by phone option will be available.

Hope this information is helpful.

 

Lost xp key.

i lost my XP key. And i need it.
Is there a way to find the XP key i am using now in Windows?

Thanks.

 

Files lost, Internet explorer not reachable, error Ox800703f1

Hi,

I realize that you are facing the issue in finding the lost files. Let me assist you.

To narrow down the troubleshooting steps, kindly write back to us with the following information.

• Did you make any prior changes before this error occurred?
• What is the error message you are getting when you try to open Internet Explorer?
• Have you updated the Windows to the latest build?
• Check whether the original account exists. (Use the below steps to check)

• Press Windows key + R key, type netplwiz and press
  Enter key.
• Check if the user account exits under Users for this computer.
  

I suggest you to follow the troubleshooting methods below and check if it helps.

Method 1: Update the Windows to the latest build.

• On the search bar type Settings.
• Click on Update and Security.
• Click on Check for Updates.
• Read and accept the license terms, and then tap or click Finish if the update requires it.
  

Method 2: To find lost files.

Follow the link below to find lost files and check if it helps.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/Find-lost-files-after-the-update-to-Windows-10

Hope the information helps. Kindly write back to us with the updated status of the issue for further assistance on Windows. We will be happy to assist you.

Thank you.