Windows 10: I can't activate my Windows 10

But you were asked

To which you replied

In which case the DVD is an installation disk and not a recovery disk.

• Please confirm exactly what laptop you are trying to fix.
• Please confirm whether you are using the recovery disk supplied by the original manufacturer or the installation disk you purchased from Microsoft.
• Please confirm whether the disk you bought from Microsoft is an OEM or Retail version.

 

Do you still have Windows 10 running on the laptop, just not activated? If so, run showkey and it will tell you what version of Windows the key in your BIOS is for. That is the exact version of Windows that you need to go back to. You are trying to install the wrong version of Windows 8.

Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

and there is a difference between OEM and Retail, as well as a difference between Home, Pro and Single Language.

Home OEM, Home Retail, Pro OEM, Pro Retail, etc.

 

...And also whether it is x64 or x86 (32bit)

 

I got both DVD's for Windows 8 and 8.1

which one to use now?

 

You need Windows 8 Home OEM. I'm betting your Windows 8 DVD is probably retail version.

Try here to get the Home OEM version:

Download Windows 8.1 OEM and Retail .iso

 

If you bought the DVD from the MS Store using your Microsoft account then your order history will probably confirm whether it is an OEM or Retail disk and whether it's x86 or 64. (I've never bought anything from their store, so this just an assumption)

 

Its Acer Aspire V3-771G and I'm using installation disk purchased from Microsoft not OEM. Also its 64 bit I'm trying to install.

Also is there a way to activate windows 10 as I did clean install and I can't do activation.

 

Thank you for the info *Smile

Windows 10 will not have functionality with a clean install if you have not performed the free promotional upgrade first. You MUST upgrade from WITHIN either your Win8 or Win 8.1

 

Sorry, MS has changed their activation method for the Win10 Upgrades. They won't allow you to use an existing Win7/8/8.1 key by entering it.

 

If that is a Multi edition ISO like my MSDN ISO, it only contains Core and Pro. It looks like your laptop shipped with the Single language edition. That version has its own set of keys. You can get the SL version here, http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-refresh-media. If that doesn't work, then it must be the "With Bing" version. Good luck finding that ISO. If you can actually get a version of Windows installed, even in a non activated state, you could run this to find out what version of Windows was installed by the OEM. https://www.tenforums.com/software-ap...7-showkey.html

 

I figured that out but now problem is when I try to install windows 8 from DVD it won't by giving error product key doesn't match.

 

You must be installing the wrong version? Core has its own set of keys, as does Pro, and the Single Language and the With Bing version.

 

And don't forget OEM v. retail.

 

@Devilz

In your system specs it says your rig is self-build. I'm assuming that means you bought an OEM 8.1 license?? Just use the exact same installation disk and key and all should be fine. *Smile Or is that what you are already doing??

 

My Windows 8.1 MSDN ISO's will read and use Retail keys and OEM embedded keys. As far as I know my MSDN ISO's are identical to retail DVD's. As far as I know there is no separate OEM/Retail install media anymore. The install media you get via the Media Creation tool is the same way. It will read and use OEM embedded keys. I've versified it myself. If I install Windows 8.1 from the MCT on my laptop I don't get asked for a key and it activates online with no issues. If try to install 8.1 Pro though I get asked for a key, then I enter my MSDN Pro key. If you install any other version than what the OEM key is for you will be prompted to enter a key. My MSDN ISO's are multi edition, Core and Pro. If I use that ISO on my laptop Core gets installed automatically as that is what the OEM key is for. If I use it on my desktop PC that has no OEM key I get prompted to enter one.