Windows 10: I have a old Dell that i have the old activation key but my son gave me a pro and I cant...

Need help to admin password on my old Dell

:)

 

New computer - transfer old key

Hi,

The Windows 10 Pro upgrade would be tied to the old computer and is not transferable. I believe it will be necessary to purchase Windows 10 Pro.

Try the following steps:

To upgrade, select the Start button, then select Settings >
Update & security > Activation.

• If you have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Home is currently activated on your device, select
  Go to Store and you'll be prompted to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free.
• If you have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, but Windows 10 Home isn't activated on your device, select
  Troubleshoot, and then follow the steps to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
• If you don't have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Pro is available for purchase from the Store.

Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro

 

Reinstall Windows 10 on old laptop - won't activate

Yup, down-level upgrading still works...

Coupla days ago built my son and I new AMD rigs - my son's was vanilla (as in new everything) so created the install usb and slipped a PID.txt with an unused Win8.1 key into it. That install was activated by the time setup gave us the desktop.

Mine. I decided to try an old SSD (with 1703 on it) booted that on the new rig, wasn't activated as expected, but changing key with unused Retail Win 7 or Win 8 keys didn't work... so I trashed that install and installed 1809, then the same key that error'd on 1703, activated 1809... it's all very flaky IMHO.

 

Activation with old key?


Here's what it said on the old machine:

Windows 10 Pro
Product ID: 00330----
Installed Key: VK7JZ----

Original Key: XHQ8M----
Original Edition: Win 8.1. Professional Retail
OEM Key: OEM key not present in firmware

But the key I had used with the orig. 8.1. installation (and luckily had stuck it on the PC case) was nothing like these.

Sadly I don't remember what exactly it said, but it was along the lines of 'windows cannot activate with this key' I recall it was even in red. And offered to try another key or after installation to go to the store.