Windows 10: W7 Activation, Lost Key

I was running W10 Home upgraded (legally) over time from Vista. I then had a major system crash that destroyed my C:\drive.


I've tried to restore W10 from the MS support site but no luck since I don't have a Key. On a clean C:\ drive I installed W7 from a disk but the key on that box doesn't work to activate it.


I understand my W10 licence and activation is stored on an MS server.


Any help that would let me download a new W10 copy and activate same would be appreciated.


Gerry

:)

 

Lost Windows Key

Hi Saravanan,

I would suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps.

To start Product Activation:

• Go to Start, then select Settings, choose
  Update & security, and then select Activation.
• If your device is not activated, the Activate by phone option will be available.

Hope this information is helpful.

 

Using a W7 key to install/activate W10?

Hello,

I have an old laptop that has been junked but I have W7 Ultimate key that was for that machine. I am building a new gaming PC that will need an OS and I need to know the best way to go about this (if possible).

Can I install W10 on the new build and use the W7 key to activate it? Or do I need to install W7 first and do the upgrade?

Thanks for any help.

Ben

 

Activate windows 10 after re-installing (I have lost my product key)

I own a Lenovo T430 laptop. In 2017, I installed Windows 10 using my original Windows 7 product key. Unfortunately, I cannot find that product key anymore. I need to re-install windows 10. Will it be automatically activated after the installation, if I skip the step of asking the product key during the installation?

In my opinion, I believe that my laptop will have a digital entitlement stored on the Microsoft Activation Servers and this will not be a problem. Is that true?

If not, please suggest me a solution or a workaround.