Windows 10: My PC never updated to build 1607 - Had a valid digital license.

I thought it may have been because the hardware was marginal. I only had 2GB of RAM,
AMD X2 4200 dual core 2.2GHz. Well that's moot now, after about 10 years this motherboard finally died.
Picked up a used motherboard/CPU/RAM from Ebay. Now have AMD FX-4300 and 4GB of DDR3 RAM.

Started Windows 10, it installed the new drivers everything is up and running, but I am no longer activated.

I found some info on the 'net that says you can tie in your MS ID to your digital license and re-activate.
Problem is, I'm still on build 1511 and that procedure is only good with build 1607 and newer.

Is this a catch 22, or is there a path ahead that will allow me to install the anniversary build and
re-activate?

Thanks for any info.

:)

 

Unable to Activate Windows 10

neilpzz.....thank you for responding, I bought this HP new a few years ago and it had Win7 already installed, so nothing but a digital license, which I can use again if I want to wipe everything out and go back to Win7 world and start over.....which I
have done once, and it is not fun but may be my only recourse. I feel like I am in a **** cause it tells me via the error code that I did not use a valid Product Key but when I go to trouble shooter it tells me I have a valid digital license and need to install
Win10 Home. Got a feeling my digital license is for a version prior to 1709.....probably the original Win10, 1607 or whatever? Thanks again for your response.

 

How many digital licenses can be linked to my single microsoft account?

I have updated my one laptop to the latest windows 10 update (Anniversary Update 1607) And its Digital license is automatically linked to my Microsoft Account.

Now I wanted to update my second laptop to the latest update (Anniversary Update 1607)

so can I use the same Microsoft Account for my second laptop.

Is it possible to link to digital licenses to my single Microsoft account.

 

The W10 activation is good for the life of the device. Generally, changing the motherboard/CPU constitutes a new device; that's why your activation is gone. The system would have had to have been tied to your MS account before the MB died. Then you *may* have had a chance for reactivation, but I think that it would have had to be the same MB/CPU - swapping like for like. In your case, you upgraded the MB/CPU, so I don't think you've got a way out here - it's technically a new machine in MS's eyes.

Still, couldn't hurt to ring and ask, but I wouldn't be too hopeful.

 

I think you are pretty much out of luck. You could call MS Support, but I doubt they can really help. Worth a try though. If you have old 7/8 key, you might be able to enter that but not guaranteed anymore.

 

Well I was originally an insider, it was tied to my MS account, that's how I got the digital license. About 6 months ago I dropped out of the program and switched to a non- MS (local) account, my activation remained in tact.

However, 1607 was never offered, the only thing that occurred to me was my assumption in my 1st post
Above. Perhaps something else was to blame.

Would my switch to a non-MS account preclude me from 1607?

 

Not clear why you did not get upgraded. Automatic updating is being rolled over time.

Having a local account would not affect getting updated to 1607.

However, even if you were on 1607, you have to remain on an MSA to keep digital licence linked to MSA. Changing to a local account removes the link!

So although you have a digital licence tied to old mobo, you have no way of moving it because you never upgraded (which you could have done manually).

Sometimes a mobo becomes unactivated and MS ask for a huge number which they tell how to display, and with that they can find the digital licence and activate PC. But they can only do that if the mobo is functional!

So unless MS take pity on you........

 

OK I see what you're sating. It seems as if I've little choice but to call; I'll report back here with the outcome.

But first I'd like to exhaust any other possibilities. You mentioned manual installation of build 1607. Are you talking about
downloading a package from the MS catalog as mentioned here in method 2 ?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3176929

Or will it not even install on a non-activated system ?

 

The MS catalog is one source, but I find the easiest way to make install media (.iso or bootable USB) is to use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, option 2 here:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9...o-download.htm

It will install, even a clean install on a new-build machine will install and run. It just won't activate. Almost everything will work, the main exception being you can't set a desktop background, you're stuck with one saying 'not activated'. Microsoft are keen on letting everyone install W10 so that (with minor nags) they can persuade you to buy a licence.

 

I did converse with MS, but to no avail. I could not get past the bit where I had to produce an eligible prior product key
because I didn't have one. That being the case, how come Win 10 stayed active for so long without giving me a warning?

I see you can get Windows 10 Pro oem edition for $130 at Walmart. Would this work for me ? Or is it only good on fresh installs?

 

I don't know about the previous key/activation. If you had an eligible W7 or W8 key, that should have sufficed for MS.

That OEM edition is fine, (and probably cheaper at Newegg), EXCEPT, it is not a retail key and therefore not transferable. Might be worth the extra $, if you plan on moving it to another system in the future. OEM System Builder, like OEM pre-installed OSs, are tied to the first system they are activated on, and can not be activated on another system down the line. For transfer-ability, you want a full Retail key.

 

My system prior to W 10 was Vista and two installs of XP. About a year ago, I got my data out of Vista and downloaded
the Windows Insider build, formatted the Vista partition and installed clean using a key for insiders at the time.

The system updated with new builds over time, eventually reaching the official release version when I dropped out of
the program. According to the Activation status it was activated with a "digital license". The activation persisted,
up to build 1511. . At no time did W 10 prompt me for a qualifying W7 or W8 key.

It wasn't until I had the motherboard swap that things went wrong

The 64 bit W 10 Pro is about $129 at Walmart - have not checked Neweggs prices yet, but it's similar I'm sure
If i'm going to do it, may as well do a fresh install.

 

Yep, there was a point in time early on, when W10 was first released to the general public, that Insiders were auto-activated, even if they had not officially upgraded with a qualifying key. It was a small window of time, and you evidently were in it.

Yes, a fresh install is always good. *Wink

 

Then I have to ask, if my activation was valid due to being an insider at the right time and place, would it have lasted
indefinitely assuming no hardware changes?
If yes, perhaps I had a case when I called MS? Seems as if they treated it as an oem Vs a retail licence regarding
tansfer to a new motherboard. Is that what the digital license is? Like oem ?

 

Yep. It was a small window of opportunity, - a loophole - and basically a lucky opportunity for a small few. Changing MB and CPU constitutes a new device. That's why you lost the activation. It's no argument to use with MS; it won't work.