Windows 10: Windows 10 Activation / format and hardware change

Hello I have recently upgraded my hardware, formatted my primary SSD and completed a fresh windows 10 install via the media creation tool.


I was previously using windows 10 with an activated copy that I thought was linked to my Microsoft account.


After reinstalling and failing activation, I reinput my product key, which I am 100% certain is correct and has been typed correctly as it was used to install windows 10 in the past. I only have it written down and was advised that they key would be linked to my Microsoft account so assumed the digital copy would alleviate any issues.


The key I am using from was when I updated windows 7 to windows 10 around 2016


None of the activation settings in windows are amending the issue and I am lost with how to go further. eg. Trouble shoot, Activate after changed hardware, try and fix the issue etc.


I have a few error codes and have updated windows 10 to the latest version 1809. Build 17763.194


When entering my product key, (0x80041023)

Activation error 0xC004F050

and then one saying that I have no product key 0xC004F213


I am lost with what to do now and would appreciate if you could help activate windows 10 for me.

:)

 

Windows 10 formatting ?

Why upgrade to 10, format and, install? Why not go get the install media and install it. As I said l, if you are currently activated and there aren't any hardware changes, when you activate again, it should pull the info and activate.

 

Windows 10 formatting ?

But he already went to 10, so it's already tied to his hardware no?

To that end, he would only need to create the install media from the MS website, format upon installation and activate. There shouldn't be a need to to 10 since he is currently there and activated. See post 3...


Or.. did I miss something? If he's on 7, can you still get 10 free if you didn't activate it before that expired?

Edit: You have to use the assisted technology to get it free now... a bit shady to me if you aren't using that tech. That way you'd have to upgrade to 10.. then format and reinstall for a clean install.

 

Windows 10 Hardware change

A clean install? We're talking about a clean install not the upgrade

Dave is saying to do the upgrade. Pull the drive. Install the new hardware. Replace the drive and run it till its activated. Then format and do a clean install. Then it should activate fine

I don't think it will activate after you change the hardware. But maybe MS has loosened the activations for now