Windows 10: Licence Key Reactivation

I purchased a Windows 10 Pro retail licence key years ago which was said to be transferable. I've just bought a brand new computer, but I am using the same drives as I used to so I had to format them and completely reinstall Windows, wiping the originally activated Windows with it.


I wrote down the code when I purchased it and it's still in my phone, but when I am trying to activate it, it says that the Licence Key has already been used on another device.


Is there a way to use it on my new pc or it's completely lost?

:)

 

Change of licence key- Windows 10

Hi,

The second option that you've posted is actually the best way of moving a hard disk drive to another device. We'd recommend updating the product key once the hard disk drive of machine 1 is already attached to machine 2. To do this, you can perform the following:

• Search and launch Settings using Cortana.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Click on the Activation option.
• Click on Change product key.
• Enter machine 2's product key.
• Follow the on-screen prompts.

We'd recommend performing the steps posted on this
link should the steps posted above don't suffice. The steps are intended for reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.

In the event that the recommended steps didn't work for you, we'd recommend contacting our support team. To do this, click on this

link.

Let us know should you need further assistance.

 

Reinstalling Windows 10 without a licence key

Hi,

I have a 10 year old laptop which originally was running Windows Vista. Due to the manufacturer date of the laptop, I was entitled to the free upgrade to Windows 7, which I kept until the roll-out of the Windows 10 upgrade. When my laptop upgraded to Windows
10, I did not pay for the upgrade and did not receive a licence key.

1. If I go to the Windows 10 download tool and select install with the 'keep Nothing during the upgrade' option, will I require a licence key?
   
2. Can I build the laptop from scratch if it was originally a Visa machine or will I need to step from Vista to 8.1 to 10?

Regards

Keith

 

Windows 10 licence reactivation

Hi,

I recently upgraded hardware in my PC. I checked the Microsoft website for details on reactivating windows after this update and followed the instructions with regards to linking my digital licence to my Microsoft account.

When I finished my upgrade and tried to reactivate it I got a message saying it was unable to. I contacted customer support who were pretty clueless.

The support assistant first of all told me it was because it was OEM. This wasn't the case, it was a retail copy of windows 8 that I had bought and upgraded to Windows 10. He then said he needed the product key, which I no longer have, despite the fact microsofts
guide said if I had a digital licence linked to my account I wouldn't need a product key anymore.

I feel like I'm being scammed to buy another Windows licence. I checked Microsofts own instructions before carrying out the upgrade to make sure I'd be able to transfer my windows licence, now I was being told to pay for another copy.

After a long discussion going round in circles the advisor said he'd arrange a call back by the advanced technical team this morning between 8am and 9am. It's now 11am and no-one has called and I've had to cancel a gym appointment. This whole experience
is shocking customer support, what should be a simple task according to the website has been a total farce.

Is it likely I'm ever going to receive the promised call or are they just trying to wear me down to force me to pay for my copy of windows again?

CD.