Windows 10: Product key won't work when I try to install Windows 10

Discus and support Product key won't work when I try to install Windows 10 in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; Alright, so I need help with a laptop I bought but first some info. I went to a pawn shop and got a used Windows 10 home laptop. It worked, it was... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by Toxiconym, Sep 26, 2015.

  1. Toxiconym Win User

    Product key won't work when I try to install Windows 10


    Alright, so I need help with a laptop I bought but first some info.
    I went to a pawn shop and got a used Windows 10 home laptop. It worked, it was great, I went home to use it. It's 64 bit. However, I decided to factory reset it, just in case. It was going well, so I left it so it could reset. When I came back to it, it had failed, and my computer was left in a constant blue screen of death restarting sequence. After a few hours of looking up fixes, I figured it out. I used the media creation tool to download Windows 10 using a different computer onto a USB. I booted it up, and my computer was fixed. Except, I had accidentally chosen the 32 bit option, so now my computer says '32 bit with a 64x based processor'. I tried to just install the media creation tool again, but 64 bit, but it wouldn't let me. I needed to insert the product key. I found it, but it won't accept it. After a while I gave up and just went back to 32 bit. However, I would really like to upgrade to 64 bit, which is why I'm still looking for a solution. I learned that the laptop was at first Windows 7, but there wasn't an option to downgrade in the updates and security settings section. If you need more information to help me, I'd be glad to elaborate

    :)
     
    Toxiconym, Sep 26, 2015
    #1

  2. Windows 10 won't accept product key

    I have a desktop machine that came with windows 8.1 already installed with the sticker on the case. When I try to upgrade to windows 10. It asks for the product key, but it won't accept the key. I have checked and am entering the key correctly. I am using
    a usb installation because of bandwidth caps. This usb installation worked perfectly on a different computer, it didn't ask for the key in that installation,
     
    JaniceBruner, Sep 26, 2015
    #2
  3. How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Version 1803 Spring Creators Update Using ISO File from Versions 1709, 1703, 1607, 1511 or 1507

    I can't update my windows 10 1703 to 1709. I have the ISO image of this update but when I try to install it, it always prompt that "SETUP HAS FAILED TO VALIDATE THE PRODUCT KEY". Please help I have a valid product key. I try also search some fix but it
    won't work at all. I need respond Microsoft
     
    jayjayortiza, Sep 26, 2015
    #3
  4. topgundcp Win User

    Product key won't work when I try to install Windows 10

    Since Windows 10 was already activated. Just wipe the disk and re-install X64. select Skip or Do it Later when asked for product key.
     
    topgundcp, Sep 26, 2015
    #4
  5. Toxiconym Win User
    That's the thing, either it was never activated or the factory reset somehow messed it up. If I try to skip it, it'll restart the boot.
     
    Toxiconym, Sep 26, 2015
    #5
  6. NavyLCDR New Member
    1. Run the Media Creation Tool for the same bit level that the OS is that you are running it on. If your OS that you are on is 32 bit, then run the 32 bit Media Creation Tool. If your OS that you are on is 64 bit, then run the 64 bit Media Creation Tool.

    2. Using the MCT, download the Windows 10 ISO that you want to install - it does not have to match your current bit level. Make sure you download the exact same version that you want to replace, as in Home, Pro, N or Single Language - but you can pick the desired bit level 32bit or 64bit.

    3. Boot the computer that you want to repair from the USB or DVD. Click Install Now, then select custom install.

    4. Delete all the partitions listed on the hard drive so you are left with only 1 big unallocated space. Select the unallocated space to install to and let Windows install do it's thing.

    5. When asked for a product key, click "skip" or "do this later". Might have to do that 2 or 3 times at different times during the install.

    If Windows 10 won't install, there is something else wrong than just not having a product key. If you install a version of Windows 10 that was not activated on that same computer previously, the issue you will have is that Windows 10 will install - but it won't activate itself.
     
    NavyLCDR, Sep 26, 2015
    #6
  7. You can roll in the 64 bit OS as described above i.e. custom install ..( Then acivate Windows 10 anytime ) as long as your PC was previouly activated on Win 10 .

    Long way (but ensures activation ) only if your win 10 install was never activated or it was a test build .

    Use the win 7 product key and downlad Win 7x64 (whatever kind it had ) from M.S. then you can install *that * and go on line and activate it with the product key then roll in win 10 x 64 from the installer tool and it should activate itself when you go on line or you can force it .

    i.e. AFAIK a Windows 7 product key wont work in windows 10 at all except during the in place upgrade or first time clean install to W10 RTM then win 10 eats the win 7 key .

    Keep in mind on a custom (clean) install you will loose your files and installed software outside of what comes in Windows
    (not much ) .

    Another option is to order factory recovery media if you want the bloat and whatever came with it software wise if it was never activated in win 10 rol that in ,then update * that OS * .to win 10 .


    Note : you will likley need to downlod and install your specific PC HDWE drivers including sound ,video and wireless etc. *outside of a bios ,chipset or any controllers * from the mfr. and or vendors on a *clean install ....*outside of OEM recovery media* and install those drivers *after you install Windows *

    If it wont activate (after you install it ) call ms and explain your situation and maybe ..........you must be on line to activate Windows 10 anyway just like before you shouldent need a product key on Windows 10 * if it was activated on that PC allredy*

    I've done 2 Windows 10 RTM upgrades , a clean install RTM and a few clean installs and auto updates on the test builds and more windows installs than I can remebmber going back to Windows 3.0 *Zip


    If the ( correct version of Windows 10 ) in relation to your media was activated on *that* PC at any time it should work fine (the profile for activating Windows 10) is stored at MS once it's been activated and you must be on line to activate windows 10 or any of them anyway .


    In the unlikey event all the above fails Assuming your PC had a genuine OEM upgrade to RTM You can also call Microsoft cust service they can look up your Windows 7 product key and tell you if it has been used ,if it is still valid on Win 7 x64 or de activated (as would happen in a Win 7 or win 8 upgrade to RTM when it gets eaten ) but try the clean [custom install ] from media as described above first ,LCDR knows his stuff .
     
    blutos cousin, Apr 4, 2018
    #7
Thema:

Product key won't work when I try to install Windows 10

Loading...
  1. Product key won't work when I try to install Windows 10 - Similar Threads - Product key won't

  2. Product key won't work.

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Product key won't work.: I had windows 10 for some time and then updated to windows 11. After some time I had to factory reset everything now windows wants me to "activate it" but when i go to do so it wants my product key which is now differentas I can see from the last 5 visible digits. What am I...
  3. Product key won't work.

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Product key won't work.: I had windows 10 for some time and then updated to windows 11. After some time I had to factory reset everything now windows wants me to "activate it" but when i go to do so it wants my product key which is now differentas I can see from the last 5 visible digits. What am I...
  4. Windows 8.1 product key won't work during re-installation

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Windows 8.1 product key won't work during re-installation: I have a 2013 Dell XPS 14 that runs Windows 7. In 2014, I bought Windows 8.1 from Microsoft Store for upgrade. Recently, I did a PC reset due to slow boot up. Now, I cannot reinstall Windows 8.1 with the given product key. Error message "This key won't work with this edition...
  5. Windows 8.1 product key won't work during re-installation

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Windows 8.1 product key won't work during re-installation: I have a 2013 Dell XPS 14 that runs Windows 7. In 2014, I bought Windows 8.1 from Microsoft Store for upgrade. Recently, I did a PC reset due to slow boot up. Now, I cannot reinstall Windows 8.1 with the given product key. Error message "This key won't work with this edition...
  6. I tried to install windows 8.1 but when I enter my product key it says this key dosent work...

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    I tried to install windows 8.1 but when I enter my product key it says this key dosent work...: Soo I was wondering whst I could do soo if anybody can help me that would be very much appreciated https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-tried-to-install-windows-81-but-when-i-enter-my/1d9e8394-c204-42f7-abdd-a6c2bd34eec3
  7. I tried to install windows 8.1 but when I enter my product key it says this key dosent work...

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    I tried to install windows 8.1 but when I enter my product key it says this key dosent work...: Soo I was wondering whst I could do soo if anybody can help me that would be very much appreciated https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-tried-to-install-windows-81-but-when-i-enter-my/1d9e8394-c204-42f7-abdd-a6c2bd34eec3
  8. I tried the product key but its not working

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    I tried the product key but its not working: Split from this thread. I tried the product key but its not working https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-tried-the-product-key-but-its-not-working/758fa231-9204-4af1-b313-87d313e07948
  9. Product key won't work

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Product key won't work: After the most recent update to my Windows 10 Pro OS, my PC was performing strangely and bothered me enough to cause me to uninstall the update and then reinstall. Now the OS won't activate. The product key won't work. Can anyone help, please?...
  10. Product key activation won't work

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Product key activation won't work: Hello, I bought a new PC and have a water mark telling me to activate windows. I bought a product key from Amazon. When I go to enter the product key, it tells me the product key didn't work and gives me the error code 0xc004f050. I can't seem to fix this problem despite...