Windows 10: Wheres the License or Product Key

I recently got an older computer from school that needed windows to be installed again. I found that you can turn windows into an installation media to download it onto a different computer/laptop from the Microsoft website. I did that downloaded onto the older computer, It worked but it is asking for a product key in order to activate the device. I don't have one and don't know where to find it.The computer is a windows 7

:)

 

Product Key Reactivation

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

Reactivating Windows 11 after retrieving the motherboard key involves using the original product key or digital license associated with your system.

Here are the steps to reactivate Windows 11:

1. Open Settings:
   
   • Click on the Start button and select the gear icon to open "Settings."
     
2. Navigate to Update & Security:
   
   • In the Settings menu, click on "Update & Security."
     
3. Go to Activation:
   
   • In the left sidebar, select "Activation."
     
4. Enter Product Key:
   
   • If you have a product key, click on "Change product key" and enter the key when prompted.
     
5. Use Digital License:
   
   • If your Windows 11 was linked to your Microsoft account, you might see an option to troubleshoot and link your digital license. Click on this option and follow the prompts.
     
6. Restart Your Computer:
   
   • After entering the product key or linking your digital license, restart your computer.
     
7. Verification:
   
   • Go back to the Activation section in Settings to verify that Windows 11 is now activated.
     

 

Windows won't activate a digital license but will with a product key?

Thank you for the insight

That's interesting. So you are suggesting after I make my next clone, I enter a generic product key in windows activation and THEN follow up with purchasing (or transferring) a digital license? Do I understand you correctly? If so, I'll try that on my next build.

It is possible. My only experience seeing it not cleared up in an hour (besides, of course, having the wrong time on my machine or a truly faulty connection) was many years ago. When I contacted Microsoft, they were able to diagnose that my license wasn't valid but couldn't tell me why. If memory serves me correctly, I attempted to move a license from a windows ten machine that initially was an upgrade from windows seven. I discovered (on this forum) that a windows ten license that was upgraded from windows seven license was not eligible to be transferred to a new machine. And I was not able to purchase a digital license. I needed a product key.

I couldn't find reputable dealers that are still selling retail windows 10 licenses (for example, Best Buy only lists the Spanish version of windows home on their website). But since I just learned that a windows 11 license can be used my concern has been allayed.

 

Microsoft 365 Subscription - Where to get Windows 10 product key for offline installation?

If you are the administrator for a Microsoft 365 subscription and you want to install Windows 10 Pro on a new device, you can follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center: Open a web browser and go to https://admin.microsoft.com. Sign in using your administrator account.
   
2. Go to the "Licenses" page: In the admin center, click on the "Licenses" link on the left side of the page. This will show you a list of the licenses that are available for your organization.
   
3. Find the Windows 10 Pro license: Look for the entry for "Windows 10 Pro" in the list of licenses. If you have a license available, it will be listed under the "Assigned" column.
   
4. Get the product key: Click on the "View details" link next to the Windows 10 Pro license. This will open a window with information about the license, including the product key. Copy the product key and save it somewhere safe.
   
5. Install Windows 10 Pro: Use the product key that you obtained in step 4 when installing Windows 10 Pro on the new device. You can use the media creation tool or a Windows installation disc to install the operating system.
   

Note that you may need to activate Windows 10 Pro using the product key after installing it. To do this, open the Start menu and type "activate" in the search bar. Select "Activate Windows" from the search results and follow the on-screen instructions to enter the product key and activate your license.