Windows 10: Unable to activate Windows 10 Pro with Retailer Product Key

Got a new PC for Christmas, it's not a prebuilt PC.


Everytime I turn on the PC a notification appears that I need to activate Windows. Unfortunately, no matter what I do, restart the PC, update Windows, etc. I'm unable to activate it.


I started looking online about this, but nothing has solved the problem.


It appears that I have a Retail Product Key don't know exactly what that means, therefore I'm unable to utilize that Product ID or the activation process.


Thanks in advance!

:)

 

Windows 8.1 pro + WMC key activation

This worked for me last time with a Win 8 key.

Install Windows 8.1 and enter KMS key during setup. Once in windows change product key to my Windows 8 key. Go to add features and enter my WMC add-on key. Drink a beer to a job well done.

 

Unable to Activate Windows 10 Home /Pro Product Key

If the product key you've is retail, then only it can be used for activation else you need to buy new license.

 

Windows 10 Pro Full Retail Version Product Key Issue

Hello,

I purchased the full retail version of Windows 10 Pro and performed a clean install using

the product key contained in the retail package. After the clean install using the full retail version the "Activation" in "Update and Security" showed that it was a Product Key.

After the Windows 10 Anniversary Edition was installed, it shows as being activated with a digital license. I used 'showkeyplus' as recommended by a MVP and it shows the original OEM key and then the full retail key. It is treating my retail install as
an upgrade and assigning it a digital license.

How do I get it back to the Product Key entitlement? Quite frankly, this is upsetting after spending the money on the full version. Does this mean if I purchase a new laptop and want to perform a clean install of the full retail version of Windows 10 Pro
on it that license is tied to the old laptop?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks