Windows 10: Reinstall: product key blocked?

I originally got win10 through the free upgrade from 8.1 and did the install that only replaces system files etc. Some things weren't working correctly such as the sleep function and I kept being unable to login due to the start menu and Cortana not starting, so I decided to do a reset of the OS.
I managed to reset and get a fresh install of win10 but now I can't get activation to work. I've run all the windows updates and tried the slmgr.vbs /ato command but it says my product key is blocked..what should I do?

:)

 

Lost product key after reinstall

Contact support so they can help you find your product key or reactivate it for you if necessary:

Use the following link to directly reach a live agent who can assist you:

https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/en-us/contact/menu/software/windows/setup/

 

Lost product key after reinstall

Is there anyway to figure out what the product key on my computer was after a reinstall? I had written down the "product ID" thinking that was the key since nothing in the about screen had a "product key" like they used to, but that was not it. I have
since reinstalled and will not spend another $200 for a key.

 

Hello there, arisutan. Welcome to the forum.

How did you go about resetting 10?

 

I did it from the settings within Windows, there is a "reset" function. It actually didn't work and failed to boot afterwards and I had to reinstall off a flash drive loaded with a win10 installation ISO.

 

Did you use the same version of Windows 10?

Home/Pro, 32/64-bit, Language (US, UK or other.)

The clean install has to be done with the exact same version as the Upgrade, or else you won't be able to activate it.

 

I have no idea, I wasn't aware there were different versions...I mean, obviously I kept same bit-version. I didn't know there was a home/pro. I didn't see an option to select that at any point in the download or installation process. I think I had Home Premium windows 8 so does that mean I need home of Windows 10? Am I gonna have to reinstall windows all over again @_@

 

Ok. Where did you get the ISO?

 

Yes, if you had the Home version of 8, you need to upgrade it with the Home version of 10. If you used the Pro version, it won't get activated.

The only solution here, is going back to your previous version of Windows. (This is an option in Windows 10.)

Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Recovery

You should see an option to go back to your previous version here. After this, you can re-upgrade with the right version of Windows 10.


I just read the topic again, and you did a clean install already, then you can't go back, of course.

You could try to do a clean install with Windows 10 Home, but if you never had an activated version on your system, this probably will not work either.

Only other option left then, is installing your Windows 8 again, and do the upgrade to 10 again.

 

I have a valid Win 7 Product Key - and my Win 10 system did not accept it when I added it - to authorize my new upgrAde to Win 10.

Is there any email address or URL available at Microsoft where we are able to check a PRODUCT Key for validity ?

Thanks, Cliff M. .

 

I had a working and activated version of 10 home for a good while but did a reset because of problems mentioned in OP. I'll try and reinstall with Home and see if it activates... (only assuming it's home since i'm fairly sure thats what my 8.1 was)

 

Windows 10 will only accept Windows 10 Product Keys (Retail Keys).

The upgrade process is activated with a general upgrade key that can't be used to activate your Windows 10 version. *Smile That's why with a clean install (after an upgrade from Win7/8.1), you need to skip the part to enter a product key, and after installation, Windows 10 will check with the Microsoft server if you already had an activated upgrade installed on that machine.

 

Okay, that should work then. If you had an activated Win10 Home on it, a clean install will get activated as well. When asked for a product key, just skip it.

 

Thanks so much for your help. I'll do this and if I run into any more problems I'll post again here

 

Thanks to your help I think I managed to fix it. I made another bootable drive and made sure to select Windows 10 Home edition and it seemed to activate upon startup no problem. Thanks so much!

I have one more unrelated question: How do I know if I can upgrade my Win7 desktop to Win10 for free? I never ever got the "reserve" icon in the tray..