Windows 10: Product Key on Clean Install

After I did the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, I did a clean install. Seems like everything is fine, except I had to enter the Product Key to finish the installation. The clean install is activated.

I understood from what I have been reading here that once I did the free upgrade, I could do a clean install, skip the Product Key prompt and Windows would get the Product Key. I skipped at the beginning of the install, but could not finish at then end without putting the the product Key. I did and it finished.

Did I do something wrong? Or did I misunderstand? Wanted to clear this up before I go any farther installing all my apps, etc., in case I have to re-install because I did something wrong.

Thanks

:)

 

Product key needed for Windows 10 clean install on dead PC that had Windows 7?

I have a HP PC that was running an OEM copy of Windows 7 Home (pre-installed). The hard drive quit last week, so I figured it would just be simpler to upgrade to Windows 10 with a clean install. I have the product key for the copy of Windows 7 that was
on the old drive, but Microsoft rejects it with an error code 0xc004f050. There must be a way to use this product key for a clean install as an upgrade instead of having to re-install 7 and then run the 10 upgrade- any suggestions?

 

Product key needed for Windows 10 clean install on dead PC that had Windows 7?

Hi,

It will require that you are running a previous qualifying version and start the upgrade from within the qualifying version. You can initiate a clean install after completing the Upgrade.

You cannot use the free upgrade offer to perform a clean install on first attempt. You must first upgrade from the qualifying version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 (whether you do it through

Windows Update or using the .ISO file). Ensure the upgrade is completed successfully and then ensure that it is activated. You can then proceed to do a clean install by using recovery media or using the Reset function
in Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC (Get Started).

Refer:



http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/why-activate-windows-10





How to: Perform a Clean Install or Reinstall of Windows 10

Hope this information is helpful. If the issue still persists, please post back for further assistance, we'll be glad to assist you.

____________________

Thanks & Regards,

 

Which product key did you enter? I don't remember seeing any when I did the upgrade first and when I clean installed W10 later, it activated automatically

 

I ran "KetFinder" on both my PCs after the free upgrade.

 

I downloaded the Files as all three PC's had the "we are validating your PC and working closely with our partners" message.
As soon as Windows 10 was installed (I forgot to check if it was activated) I clicked delete everything reset.
It activated with the code, took a while as the servers were busy but I never entered any code at all during installation. It now says it's activated.
It makes it's own code, that is tied to that PC. I believe when the PC dies you have to buy new Windows.
That's why I'm keeping Windows 7 on my gaming PC that get updated every 6 months.

 

Thanks for the response! Strange that you needed to enter a product key to activate and I didn't. And from what I've read so far, I think auto activation of a clean install is what is suppose happen, after you do an upgrade first.

I see what you are saying. I skipped the prompt in both cases and it did indeed activate, so you probably could have as well.

 

Did you get any prompts to enter the Product Key?

I got the prompt at the very beginning and clicked "skip". The on the final screen of the install I got the prompt. "It now time to enter the Product Key". I did and clicked finish.
Maybe I could have just clicked on "finish" without entering the key