Windows 10: Installing Win 10 Pro on new HD (original PC) keeps asking for product key

In 2013, I installed Windows 8 Pro with a valid product key. That was upgraded to Windows 8.1, and that was upgraded to Windows 10.


My hard drive crashed and I am reinstalling Windows 10 Pro from a USB drive created with the Media Creation Tool. When asked to save files, I chose to perform a new install, since the hard driver was empty.


Now it asks for a product key. I have a key for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, but I do not have a product key for Windows 10.

The installer won't the installer accept the old 8/8.1 keys.


How can I reinstall Windows 10 Pro on this PC without buying a new license?


Thanks.

:)

 

Find original win 8 product keys used?


That key should still be usable to install 8.1. Technically, since you used it to install Windows 10, if you use it to install Windows 8.1, you should stop using the version of Windows 10 you activated with it. As far as I know though, its not enforced in any manner.
I upgraded my laptop from 8.1 Pro (MSDN Retail key) to windows 10 Pro. Then months latter, reinstalled 8.1 Pro with the original key on that laptop. It activated with no issues. I then clean installed 10 Pro on that same laptop with a skip key and it activated with no issues. The 8.1 key was not blacklisted etc. I don't "think" its tied to the Windows 10 activation in any way. No way of proving it though.
I keep a detailed list of what product keys I've used on what PC. Windows and office etc. Saves me from any guess work latter on. *Wink
Then if I have to reinstall a previous OS I can use the original key and not worry about activation issues.

 

Win 10 Pro upgrade using Win 8 Pro product key

I just bought a new computer running Win 10 Home. When I went to upgrade to Win 10 Pro using my Win 8 Pro product key from my old computer, the upgrade wouldn't activate.

Now I'm stuck with a bunch of error messages (mainly 0xC004C003) and am being told windows isn't activated. I can't seem to get my activated Win 10 Home back.

I don't have a product key for the Win 10 Home because it came pre-installed. There's no product code recorded on the packaging or labelling on the device.

So:

How do I either

• activate the Win Pro upgrade, or
• Get my activated Win 10 home back?

 

Upgrade Windows 7 PRO Product key to Window 10 PRO Product Key

Dear,

Kindly be informed that 2 months ago I upgraded my laptop from win 7 PRO to win 10 PRO without asking any product key and now I need to reinstall windows 10 in my laptop for fresh installation so how can we activate this windows 10 with original product
key using Windows 7 Pro product key.