Windows 10: How can I activate Windows when I am prevented from logging in by Microsoft?

I upgraded my hardware, turned on my computer and was surprised that I had to re-activate Windows. I'm fairly certain I've never linked this computer with a Microsoft account so I don't know how to re-activate it. When I logged in to a microsoft account I saw that I had an old telephone number so I changed it to my current one. This has enacted some kind of security measure whereby I cannot use this account for one month to link to a new computer since I have entered in new information to this account. This security measure is now preventing me from using that account to activate windows.H

:)

 

Microsoft to Revamp Activation System with Windows 9

One of my college instructors was gifted a "Teacher's Edition" book from Microsoft that included a full copy of Windows (Vista, I think?). Every quarter, he'd wipe it and show the new students how to go through the install. It didn't take long before his key wouldn't activate. He called Microsoft support, explained that he was a college instructor who was partnered with MSDN AA, he was given a copy by Microsoft themselves, and it was asking him to phone in. They asked how many machines that copy of Windows was installed on. He would rather excitedly (and comically) say "Right now, none!" and they'd fairly quickly give him the activation key.

Social engineering can be another way around activation. Windows can get pretty inexpensive if you can split it a few ways.


Continuing a topic from above, Steam-like DRM doesn't seem too bad to me. I like the idea that you just install the OS, no activation to worry about, then you buy the right to log in on your account. It seems to me like that will stop the "I've reformatted and now I can't activate" issue.

 

Microsofts Activation services phone #?

So I had an old rig that was running a RETAIL version of Win XP Home. Well the thing died. I want to use the product key from that old machine to do a win 7 upgrade, however, I cannot seem to find Microsoft's support number anywhere on their site, instead it redirects me to a page and here's what it says:

Well guess freakin what, THE COMPUTER IS DEAD, THEREFORE I CAN NOT DO ANY OF THOSE DAMN THINGS!!!!!!! *Bang Head :banghead:

This is seriously getting on my nerves!

Even googling it takes me to the same place. Does anyone have the number for their "Activation services" department?

 

Microsoft to Revamp Activation System with Windows 9

Microsoft is expected to introduce a radical new software activation system with its next major release of Windows, in a bid to stem piracy. According to BetaNews, citing a Russian source with a reasonably good track-record in leaking stuff out of Redmond, the company is planning to do away with software keys, 16-character alphanumeric passwords unique to each copy of the software, which let you prove the validity of your purchase, and unlock the software. The next Windows will use a system in which having a Microsoft Store account - which isn't necessarily the same as a Microsoft Account - is mandatory, and acquiring machine-specific images of the Windows installation disc from the store.

The way we understand it, it works like this. After paying for your license while logged into the Microsoft Store, you're made to download a generic install disc image. After its installation, your machine's details (usually just motherboard-related details) are logged with Microsoft, and the software stays activated on your machine. When you need to install your OS on another machine, you untie your current machine from your licence online, and install your software on the new machine. The software will stop working on the older machine, ensuring that only one single-user license is running on a machine at a given time. The concept can be suitably adapted for 3-user and 5-user family licenses.

The same source also goes on to claim that Microsoft's removal of a Start Menu continues to be unpopular, and that its next Windows release - the so called Windows 9 - could bring a highly functional Start Menu back. Microsoft could launch a gargantuan marketing campaign to make sure people are motivated to upgrade from older Windows versions, because they get their Start Menu back. Microsoft could begin talking Windows 9 this fall, with early public and semi-public, pre-retail versions of the OS being circulated.

Source: BetaNews