Windows 10: Problems using a Windows 10 Activation key after HD crash

So here goes the story.


A few months back my home workstation crashed due to, most likely, an electrical problem. This had already happened a year and something ago; I would switch off the PC, then switch it on, and get a subsequent crash while loading Windows. However this time I was unable to fix the problem myself and so I took it to a repair store. They fixed it and reinstalled Windows 10, but when I got home I found that the activated license (as may be expected) was none of the ones I had rightfully purchased (both online, so easily checkable). I tried a number of times to re-activate my previous license with the methods I will discuss below with no success, but since nothing seemed out of the ordinary as for updates, etc. , I decided to ignore it and keep working as usual. However, today I got a warning that 'my license would expire soon', and so I have gotten back to try and fix the issue to avoid future and imminent problems, as clearly what they did was not clean, and they did not notify me in advance of what they were going to do.


I have tried a number of times to change the product key to they one I had purchased for this workstation, but I keep getting the error that the key 'doesn't work' (error code is 0xc004f050, https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/4028124/windows-10-activation-error-0xc004f050), and so I assume there must be a problem related with my license being 'hung' somehow after my HD crashed, for which I don't find a specific solution in any of the help pages (e.g., https://support.microsoft.com/en-za/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change ; https://support.microsoft.com/en-za/help/12440/windows-10-activate , etc.). My license was not linked with my Microsoft account, and so I have tried to link the current license with my account (as described in the first drop-down menu in the first support link) just to test...though I assume this would be done with the current license which is not my license, so I don't think it would be of use. Furthermore, I don't even have the option to 'Add an account' in my Activation page as described in Step 3 of the first support link, which is really what is preventing me from trying.


Having said so, are there any suggestions as how may I proceed or what may I try to re-activate my originally purchased license in my workstation? Please do not hesitate to ask me for any relevant information which may help to solve the issue. Thanks in advance to everyone sharing their thoughts and have a great day!


P.S.: I will definitely link soon the license in my laptop to my account...

:)

 

Installing Windows 10 using Windows 7 key

Nope, you need to install Windows 10 first and make sure the Windows 7 key is transferred to your Windows account after you've installed Windows 10 (not quite sure how that works). I missed the last step and I could not activate Windows 10 after a re-install... Microsoft seem to have done everything they can to make it a PITA. Also, it's technically too late to do this now anyhow, as the upgrade offer has expired. But KMSPico works quite well...

As for getting rid of Windows, delete the Windows folder.

 

DOWNLOAD WINDOWS 10 NOW - Upgrade and ISO direct from microsoft

Click to expand... Yeah I went to that site, why do I need to buy a key?
I won't buy a key, stupid.

I'll revert back to windows 7 then.

When I still was on windows 7, about a year ago I added 4GB extra ram which is a total of 8GB now,
is that causing the problem?

 

Windows 10 formatting ?

We upgraded windows 7 to 10. Many crashes and errors after that. So a format and clean install of windows 10. Activated automatically. Zero issues and no more crashes etc etc.
So I'm inclined to say to just go for it. And if a problem, then use your windows 7 key.