Windows 10: Mistake activating Win10 using product key instead of digital license

After a hard drive replacement on HP laptop the local tech also installed Win10 using his key. It seemed to work so I let it slide; now 6 months later I need to Activate Windows. Problem is I have a Digital License attached to my account/computer but all I'm allowed to do is change the product key. I tried resetting and now all my personalized settings have disappeared and still can't enter digital license. Is there a workaround short of wiping my drive or talking to a live agent? I am out of the country (US) where I bought the computer and calling and waiting on hold for response is an expensive nightmare.

:)

 

Activation switched from "with product key" to "with Digital License"

This is valid, with a small "but":


Information As soon as Windows 10 version 1511 or later is activated, regardless of the activation method or product key type, it is entitled to digital activation and license.

Therefore, the product key or other activation methods are not (should not be) needed when re-installing Windows.
Version 1511 always shows the product key after initial key activation. It is of course already entitled to a digital activation and license but that will only be shown after first reinstall without a key.

1607 made this a bit easier to understand, showing Digital License instead of Product Key already after the initial first product key activation.

See my reply above

 

Activation switched from "with product key" to "with Digital License"

Yes that's essentially correct. However, before the anniversary edition was released, systems with Windows 10 installed with a retail product code would show as activated with a product code. Only systems that did the free upgrade got a digital entitlement. Now, it looks like just about any PC activated running the anniversary edition gets a digital entitlement. Retail key or not. My activation toggled from activated with a product key to activated with a digital license. A subtle but important change. I don't have to enter key when I install the education version on this PC now. Up until I did the upgrade I had to every time or it would not activate.

 

Activation switched from "with product key" to "with Digital License"












Sorry for the quality, they were taken with my camera. We'd all be old and grey by the time I learned to do a video capture. lol, I'm old and grey now.