Windows 10: Windows 10 activation after recovering windows with a recovery disk from another computer

My Windows 10 Dell Ultrabook experienced a persistent boot issue that I couldn't recover from. I created a recovery disk on another Windows 10 computer and used it to fix my Ultrabook. Now, I get a message that Windows 10 needs to be activated. When trying to activate, I get a message saying:

We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital license or product key. If you think you do have a valid license or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code 0xC004F012.

The Troubleshoot option does not fix the problem. Does using a recovery disk created on another computer copy the Windows license key from the computer from which the recovery disk was created? If so, is there a way to find the original Windows license key on my laptop? I received the computer from a relative when their corporation was downsized and it worked fine before the boot issue occurred. I don't have any paperwork with the license key.

:)

 

Windows needs to format this disk

TestDisk

TestDisk is powerful free data recovery software! It was primarily designed to help recover lost partitions and/or make non-booting disks bootable again when these symptoms are caused by faulty software, certain types of viruses or human error (such as accidentally deleting a Partition Table). Partition table recovery using TestDisk is really easy.

TestDisk can:
Fix partition table, recover deleted partition
Recover FAT32 boot sector from its backup
Rebuild FAT12/FAT16/FAT32 boot sector
Fix FAT tables
Rebuild NTFS boot sector
Recover NTFS boot sector from its backup
Fix MFT using MFT mirror
Locate ext2/ext3/ext4 Backup SuperBlock
Undelete files from FAT, NTFS and ext2 filesystem
Copy files from deleted FAT, NTFS and ext2/ext3/ext4 partitions.

TestDisk has features for both novices and experts. For those who know little or nothing about data recovery techniques, TestDisk can be used to collect detailed information about a non-booting drive which can then be sent to a tech for further analysis. Those more familiar with such procedures should find TestDisk a handy tool in performing onsite recovery.

This recovery example guides you through TestDisk step by step to recover a missing partition and repair a corrupted one.

I have not had to use it, but others have with good results, from want I have read.
Goodluck.*Smile

Edit:

I don't know if you have tried yet, but... did you try running Windows error checking on it with the fix options enabled?
How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7

 

XP disk versus Laptop Recovery Disk?

Recovery disks are just OEM copies of XP disks. Ie, they can have things such as the companys logo within the files.

If you got a normal XP disk you cant use it. The only way your dads copy of XP will activate is if your normal XP copy is OEM, unless you use the recovery disk.

I always use the recovery disks. Works just like a normal copy *Smile . Plus with the recovery disks you dont need the serial key as I *think* its embedded into the files on the disk. Just need to activate windows once on the net *Wink .

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.