Windows 10: Windows 10 Activation - Cannot Find Retail Key

Discus and support Windows 10 Activation - Cannot Find Retail Key in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; I recently had to change motherboards as my old one had died. As expected it is now asking for my windows 10 product key. I purchased a retail key from... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by RichardS.3, Nov 3, 2021.

  1. RICHARDS.3
    RichardS.3 Win User

    Windows 10 Activation - Cannot Find Retail Key


    I recently had to change motherboards as my old one had died. As expected it is now asking for my windows 10 product key. I purchased a retail key from the Microsoft Store back in August of 2019 but none of my order info is leading me to a 25-digit key neither confirmation emails or through the Microsoft store. I saw the other thread here that indicated finding the slmgr /dlv cmd line info which I've linked below to indicate it was indeed a Retail key.Any assistance in locating where my key can be found would be appreciated.

    :)
     
    RichardS.3, Nov 3, 2021
    #1
  2. NEWTEKIE1
    newtekie1 Win User

    activate windows 7 oem key

    There is no difference between the OEM disc and the Retail disc with Windows 7. A retail disc will accept a OEM or Retail key, and vise versa.

    If the OEM Key wasn't going to work with the disc you have, it would have stopped you during the install when it first asked you for the key, not during activation.

    What is likely the problem is that, since the OEM version has already been activated once, it is failing activation again. Activate it over the phone using the option given to you on the failed activation screen, and you shouldn't have a problem activating it.
     
    newtekie1, Nov 4, 2021
    #2
  3. THELOSTSWEDE
    TheLostSwede Win User
    Installing Windows 10 using Windows 7 key

    Nope, you need to install Windows 10 first and make sure the Windows 7 key is transferred to your Windows account after you've installed Windows 10 (not quite sure how that works). I missed the last step and I could not activate Windows 10 after a re-install... Microsoft seem to have done everything they can to make it a PITA. Also, it's technically too late to do this now anyhow, as the upgrade offer has expired. But KMSPico works quite well...

    As for getting rid of Windows, delete the Windows folder.
     
    TheLostSwede, Nov 4, 2021
    #3
  4. STEVE C
    Steve C Win User

    Windows 10 Activation - Cannot Find Retail Key

    Upgrading a PC and Retail Keys

    My current desktop PC started life with a Windows 8 Pro retail key and now has the latest version of Windows 10 activated by a digital key linked to my MS account.

    I want to change the motherboard, CPU, memory & system drive with a clean install so I guess Windows 10 will not automatically activate. What are the essential steps to deactivate the key currently in use and ensure it activates using the new hardware?
     
    Steve C, Nov 4, 2021
    #4
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Windows 10 Activation - Cannot Find Retail Key

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