Windows 10: Upgraded from 8.1 to Win 10. Did a clean install, but now problem.

This is a brand new laptop. Only thing loaded on it was the Windows 8.1 OS. The "Get Windows 10" app said that I qualified for a free upgrade to Windows 10. After reading an article on how to do a clean install of Windows 10, I did the following:

1. Upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10.
2. Downloaded the Media Creation Tool.
3. Used the MCT to create a bootable USB on a 16GB USB flash drive.
4. Booted from the flash drive, did a clean install of Windows 10 (essentially, formatted the drive to load the OS)
5. During installation, got a window asking for product key. Since the article said to skip this (because Windows would 'remember' my previous activation for this laptop) I did so.
6. Installation completed without a hitch.

Now, however, Windows 10 is acting like I don't have an activated version. I keep getting messages like "You can personalize this PC until it is Activated". But... it WAS activated before I did the clean install. I messed around with the OS, checking out different features, before doing the clean install.

My question is, why is this happening? I tried rolling back to Windows 8 (Pressing F3 on boot) but there is no option to go back to Windows 8.1, only Windows 10.

So, what should/can I do to get around this aggravating issue?

Thanks!

:)

 

Reset my Windows 10 PC went back to Windows 8.1

I have this same problem. I upgraded some time ago to Win 10. Recently used 'reset this PC' clean install and it reset to Win 8.1. Now my problem is not 'performing a clean instal using Reset this PC in Win 10' - but how to make this (now) Win 8.1 machine
retrieve its upgrade to Win 10.

 

downgrade windows 10 pro to home

Hi Andre

Wondering if this is my problems with my laptop.

New Laptop with 8.1 (standard) pre-installed.

Upgraded to Win 10 (didn't look if that was pro or home)

Win 10 activated but was unstable

Did a clean install from Win 10 (apparently that's a no)

Now sitting with activation problems with Win 10 Pro.

Could the problem be linked to the "surprise upgrade in first class"

Pulling my hair out waiting for Microsoft to help, over a week of frustration. The best they offer is re-install 8.1 loose everything I have already setup and try again

 

I did a clean install as well from a Windows 10 ISO and it worked like a charm.

Did you check to see if the upgraded Windows 10 was activated before you did the clean install?

 

Well, I had typed out a longer response, but it didn't post for some reason. Anyway, long story short, Windows 10 was activated before I did the clean install.

 

I'm not sure how Microsoft keeps track of activation after making a clean install, but i've made a clean install on 4 pc's without activation issues, are you connected to the internet during installation?

 

Yes, it was connected during installation.

 

I'm going to try and re-do the installation and see what happens. I'll just reboot from the USB drive and let it do it's thing all over again. We'll see what happens.

 

I read an article earlier talking about sometimes it takes activation awhile to kick in. They were talking about Day 1 and servers being hammered... so not sure how hammered there still getting... but maybe what a few hours and if worse comes to worse you could call MS if it doesn't activate by tomorrow.

EDIT: Found this on MS site...

You upgraded to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 Update

If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free and ended up in a non-activated state, try following these steps:

• Go to Start
  
  , then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.
  
• Select Go to Store, and check to see if a valid license is available for your device. If a license isn't available, you'll need to buy Windows from the Store.
  
  (I have to laugh how they say you will have to buy it though! Seriously? If it's suppose to be free for a year then you would think there would be something they can do.)

 

You'll probably have better luck by installing windows 8 again and then doing the whole process again

 

Thanks! I will try this and see what happens... if this latest install doesn't work.

 

I'd love to roll back, but it appears that Windows 10 install overwrote my recovery partition and replaced it with a Windows 10 recovery partition.

 

If you can get your hands on a Windows 8 or 8.1 depending on your pc's original OS you can install it from the iso, it will load your windows 8 key into the install automatically

 

Yeah, I wish that I knew someone with the disc to install from, or even an .iso, but I don't. No worries, though, I may figure this out yet. Thanks for your help!

 

For Windows 8.1: Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help


for some reason i can't find one for Windows 8.0