Windows 10: Unable to activate

Hopefully this is the right place because this involves an installation that doesn't activate.

Little history:

Installed Windows 7, then upgraded to Windows 8. When the Windows 10 free download came around, I jumped and upgraded to that. Things went well for quite some time and then my motherboard died. I did not connect my Microsoft account to my Windows 10 upgrade so that was a challenge. I installed the new motherboard, worked with Microsoft support via chatroom and they issued me a new Windows 10 key.

After a bit I decided to wipe the slate clean and start with a fresh install. So, I used the MCT and created an installation disk. I tried to do a fresh install from the disk after a reboot but my Crucial SSD was not showing in the list. So, I figured I would try the reinstallation from within Windows. I logged in, launched the disk and off we went. Successful reinstall. I went to activate Windows but when I tried, it said 'Unable to reach Windows activation servers'. I could not get Windows to activate.

So, I used an older Windows installation disk I created (a year or so ago) and it installed just fine and I was able to activate it. So that's where I sit now.

So, my question, if I decide to retry installing from the latest disk I created (newer version, I don't recall which, but very recent) and it continues to tell me Windows is not activated, what are my options?

:)

 

Unable to Activate

Okay so Windows 7 was a retail license?

 

Unable to Activate

I bought Windows 7 and then got the free upgrade. I had it associated with my Microsoft account. When I got to Microsoft - Official Home Page and I look at devices, the new PC I'm on says "To be filled by OEM"

 

You have not clean install Windows 10 you have Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade.

In order to clean install Windows 10 computer need to booted from Windows 10 Installation Media.

Install latest version of Windows 10 and if it does not activate contact Microsoft support.

 

The biggest question right now is, what does your activation screen say?

 

Thank you both for the responses.

NavyLCDR - I am not able to provide a screenshot because, after seeing that, I went ahead and installed an older build of Win 10 Pro (1607). I had some hardware issues with that, so I installed a newer 1607 build (from Microsoft's website vs the MCT created image) and it was able to activate just fine and remained activated after upgrading to 1709.

Marking as resolved. Thanks again for the thoughts and input. Greatly appreciated.

 

We are glad to hear your issue has been resolved, thank you for letting us know that all is now well!