Windows 10: I'm being told my activation key is generic

Discus and support I'm being told my activation key is generic in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; I'm being told my product key is a generic product key and doesn't legally activate windows.So I bought windows again online and it won't let me change... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by Ryan Schubert, Oct 7, 2024.

  1. I'm being told my activation key is generic


    I'm being told my product key is a generic product key and doesn't legally activate windows.So I bought windows again online and it won't let me change the product key to the new one.How do i fix this?

    :)
     
    Ryan Schubert, Oct 7, 2024
    #1
  2. cadaveca Win User

    Important W10 activation key questions left unanswered by Microsoft

    Not only that, you can check your M$ account and see what devices are listed there, so you know if you can do a clean install or not. Do the upgrade, get it activated, verify that it is listed in your account, then feel free to do a fresh install without activation issues ever.
     
    cadaveca, Oct 7, 2024
    #2
  3. Kreij Win User
    Activation Key Storage Utility

    Key-Z : A Secure Activation Key and Password Storage Utility

    Key-Z allows you to store activation keys and passwords in a secure (encrypted)
    file. Key-Z also allows you to make cryptographic hashes for strings or files.

    Menu Options
    File
    • Open : Opens a saved Key-Z file. After you select the file you will be prompted
      for your username and PIN number.
    • Save : Save the Key-Z file to the last saved location. You will be prompted for a username and PIN number before the file is saved.
    • Save As : Select where you would like to save the Key-Z file. You will be prompted for a username and PIN number before the file is saved.
    • Close : Close the current Key-Z file and clear all data from the application.
    • Print Preview : Preview print output prior to printing.
    • Print : Print keys and passwords directly to the default printer.
    • Exit : Exit the application
    Options
    • Set Backup Folder : Allows you to select a location to back-up the Key-Z file
      in addition to where you normally save it.
    Help
    • Content : Provides a link to this page.
    • About : Application information.
    Keys Tab
    This allows you to enter, modify or delete activation keys.


    I'm being told my activation key is generic [​IMG]


    Filter Groups Dropdown : This allows you to select which group of keys are
    displayed in the Keys DataGridView.
    Group Dropdown : This allows you to select which group you would like to associate
    with an activation key.
    Application TextBox : The name of the application for which the key is used.
    Keys TextBoxes : This is where you enter the activation key segments. If you
    enter a dash "-", your will be taken to the next TextBox automatically. If you
    paste a dash seperated key (ie. 1234-1234-1234) into the first TextBox the
    program will automatically separate it into segments.
    Comments TextBox : For any comments about the key.
    Commit Button : This will add the key to the keys DataGridView after performing
    some data integrity checks.

    Password Tabs
    This allows you to create, enter, modify or delete passwords.


    I'm being told my activation key is generic [​IMG]


    Filter Groups Dropdown : This allows you to select which group of passwords are
    displayed in the Keys DataGridView.
    Group Dropdown : This allows you to select which group you would like to
    associate with a password.
    Description TextBox : A description saying for what the password is used.
    Alphabetic Character Options:
    Numeric Character Options:
    Special Character Options:
    Length:
    Must Start With:
    Must End With:
    The above drop downs are used to set parameters when generating a password.
    Generate Password Button : Create a random password based upon the password
    option settings.
    Commit : This will add the password to the passwords DataGridView after
    performing some data integrity checks.

    Cryptographic Hashes Tab
    This allows you to generate and verify cryptographic hashes created from strings
    of files.


    I'm being told my activation key is generic [​IMG]

    Hash Type Dropdown : This allows you to select the type of hash you would like to
    generate.
    Filename : This allows you to enter a filename (path) to used to create the
    cryptographic hash. Check the "string" CheckBox if you want the hash generated
    from the text in the TextBox instead of reading the contents of the file.
    Generate Hash Button : This generates the hash from the above input. You can
    cancel the hash generation using the Stop Button. A spinning icon shows that the
    process is running, and when it is complete it will display the hash in the
    TextBox below it and also report the time that it took to hash the input.
    You can copy and paste a hash string in the second TextBox and it will be
    compared to the first to verify the hashes match.

    Application Buttons
    Save : This will save the key and password information to an encrypted file. You
    will be prompted for a file location and name, and also for a username and PIN
    number. If you forget your username and/or PIN number there is no way of
    recovering the data in the encrypted file.
    Exit : This will exit the application.

    Additional Information
    Adding a group : To add a new group to either keys of passwords simply commit
    either using any available group and edit the group name in the DataGridView.
    When the Key-Z file is opened it automatically adds the needed groups to the
    dropdowns.
    Removing a group : Simply remove any keys or passwords for that group and save
    the file. When it is re-loaded the group will no longer be available. If you
    remove all of the groups, the default set of groups will be re-added when the
    file is loaded.

    The DataGridViews will be sorted alphabetically (ascending) by group whenever you open a file,
    save, print preview or print.

    This information is obsolete, please get the latest build you can find at the end of the thread
     
    Kreij, Oct 7, 2024
    #3
  4. I'm being told my activation key is generic

    . 'genuine' windows activation

    Nothing you're showing or mentioning has anything to do with Activation. You said your Windows reports Activated. I told you how to check if there is a key embedded at factory from Lenovo which is how their laptops normally come. If there is an OEM-BIOS
    key listed then there is no doubt you have normally activated factory preinstalled Windows. If there is no OEM-BIOS key listed then we'd need to sort out how it is activated to make sure there's no Volume License Key or another illegal key used, if this
    was from a 3rd party seller for example.

    No one said anything about having to buy another key. To reassure you I told you how to check if it's normally activated like a factory PC from Lenovo comes. Instead of following the steps I gave you brought up having to buy another key which no one has
    suggested. Even if it turns out this was an Amazon 3rd party seller who sold with an illegal key, I was going to help you get it made right by Amazon who always will make it right if notified within a reasonable amount of time. If you want me to help you,
    then follow the steps I gave.
     
    Greg Carmack - Windows MVP, Oct 7, 2024
    #4
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I'm being told my activation key is generic

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