Windows 10: Win 10 activation is expiring - volume license

It sounds like the laptop came with a version of Windows 7 that could only be installed and activated from factory supplied recovery media. It doesn't have the type of product key that can be activated from Microsoft - the "product key" is embedded in the factory recovery media and activates against the corresponding key stored in the computer's bios. I think you are pretty much out of luck - you are either going to have to find and/or purchase the factory recovery media containing the Windows 7 for that laptop, install it, then upgrade to Windows 10 - hopefully still for free. Or purchase Windows 10.

In any case, file a complaint against the seller, if they advertised the laptop as coming with Windows 10.

 

I'm thinking it's likely the activation files on that installation have been tampered with... in which case a clean install will be required.

BTW: When checked, does ShowKeyPlus validate the key?

PS: Check if this file is present C:\Windows\System32\spp\tokens\pkeyconfig\pkeyconfig-downlevel.xrm-ms
(without it the Win 7 key will not be recognised on Win 10)

-- I'm just wondering if a Win 10 Pro VL ISO image was used to install which may not have it (as VL does not qualify for the free upgrade) -- answered my own question below...

 

Im wondering where the validation is pointing to

windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.csx.private. ?????
that product key appears on MS KMS docs its the base client set-up key


Roy

 

Yup, it will prove whether the original activation was via a legit KMS server or not...


PS: Downloaded a VL ISO and it does indeed contain the necessary files for the upgrade with a Win 7 key...

 

that file is there

 

i don't really know how to use that command but here is what / dlv returned.

 

This is a Dell laptop. i went to their support site and I can download the win7 recovery ISO. Since it has the win7 COA I assume I would have no problem re-installing Win7. i was just hoping there was a way to reactivate win-10.

I tried to contact the seller. no response. I will contact ebay.

 

I'm no networking expert but that KMS server IP address is locally assigned which is how the exploit's spoofs a genuine KMS server.

Did you try checking the Win 7 key? If valid a clean install of Win 10 Pro should activate.

 

I'm having the same issue. Curious what you all find out.

 

Unfortunately a 'recovery' ISO is very different to an 'installation' ISO. It's also very likely that the Win 10 VLK installed was via 'disk imaging'... which would have overwritten the original Win 7 recovery environment (e.g. any recovery partition).

As a result you won't be able to re-install Windows 7 from media created from the Dell OEM 'recovery' ISO. You can, however, clean install Win 10 from media created using Microsoft's MCT (Media Creation Tool).

It is not guaranteed that this will activate (because there will be no appropriate 'digital licence' previously stored by - for example - a legitimate upgrade from the original Win 7 OEM install).

To give yourself the best chance, look at the Win 7 COA sticker you have and make sure you install the exact same edition. (Use an 8GB USB stick with the MCT and you'll be able to create an installer that gives you the choice of either x32 or x64 architecture at install time.)

That is, if the Win 7 COA is for Windows 7 Home Premium x64 then use the media created with the Win 10 MCT tool to install Win 10 Home, not Win 10 Pro... 'cos it won't activate.

Hope this helps...

 

A key is valid for both 32 and 64 bit installs. It's only the Edition (Home, Pro, etc.) that has to match.

The current MCT make just the one 'Windows 10' media that can install Windows 10 S, Home, Pro, Home Single-language and Education. You choose which to use at install time. The only choice you need to make in the MCT is 64 or 32 bits and Language.

So that would be install Windows 10 Pro and use the CoA W7 key.

 

Thanks, Bree. My mistake... now corrected.

 

I was able to replicate the error using aVL install media





Then using a Win 7 Pro COA key --

-- I got the 'key is not valid" error code 0xc004f050 before internet connectivity was established




Subsequently it activated on a 2nd attempt with internet connectivity

Licence channel changed from this...




... to this.




The error message is misleading regarding the validity of the Win 7 key.

 

I read that Microsoft is no longer offering the free upgrade from Win7. So if i do a clean install of Win 10 and try the Win7 key, my understanding is it will tell me I need to buy a Win 10 key.

The Dell support site will give a Win 7 ISO. It assumes you had a hard drive failure. It looks up the service tag of your hardware and knows what your machine originally came with and then it only allows you to download that OS. That is how I know this laptop was first delivered with Win7. It was the only choice that I could download from Dell. I'm pretty sure Dell puts something in the BIOS too.

 

Actually, this is not true. MS said they were stopping the Assistive Upgrade Program and the media added 2+2 to make 5 and interpreted that as all free upgrades would cease.

You can still upgrade (unofficially) using a Windows 7 key.