Windows 10: Windows 10 Pro expiration/activation problem

Actually, all you have to do is enter a valid 7/8/10 po key now and it will now activate - no need to reinstall anything.

There is no actual time limit to do this but you will be unable to personalise the install in the meantime. A while ago, this only meant putting up with default wallpapers etc. Now the main restriction is updating such stuff as active hours (by default 8 am to 5 pm).

 

Except that we do not know how long Microsoft will continue to allow it for free (entering a Windows 7 or 8 product key).

 

Reply to Cereberus:
''Actually, all you have to do is enter a valid 7/8/10 po key now and it will now activate - no need to reinstall anything''.

Is it that easy?
I currently do not have a valid 7/8/10 pro key (or installation disc), but have seen on Ebay that there are (claimed to be) valid Windows 7 Pro product keys available for very little money.
They are said to be valid, as they are sold by offering the damaged original pc part, ie; motherboard etc; (sent on request at extra cost) to conform to Ebay & Microsoft rules & regs.

My question is...would one of these product keys work? I am not so sure, as I have read that they will not activate an ''upgrade'', & I am not sure if the Windows 10 Pro that I currently have was a full installation or an upgraded version prior to me buying it. Is there a way I can check this?
Thanks.

 

Buyer beware is my advice. Assuming said key hasn't already been sold to somebody else. Or has already been used to activate Windows 10. And its not an OEM key. It "might" work. There have been many many threads here with the subject line " I bought my key on e-bay and now my PC shows as not activated".

 

I'd avoid those cheap product keys, for every one that works there is one that doesn't or as happens in some cases gets blocked after a few weeks as it's already in use, look for the bad reviews, there may be genuine suppliers, however I would be wary. No way of knowing if say a retail key off a scrapped PC hasn't been used to install on it's replacement, having say the motherboard as proof doesn't actually prove anything. You could find that using one of these keys you eventually end up back where you started with an illegal key.

 

Bottom line? The OEM or System Builder versions are tied to the computer they are installed on, can't be transferred, while the Retail or Upgrade versions can be installed once on a Replacement computer but not both at the same time. Not knowing the exact source from whence the offer comes will leave one at risk.

 

See my previous post - no need to buy some dodgy key - we can get your Windows 7 OEM activation back based on the firmware marker.

... I will need that marker serial.. run ADT.. it should show it under Oem Table Id:

 

I would love to see how the process works!

 

You need the matching OEM certificate file and a script to use it. Basically you recreate the factory OEM install media. As far as I know if you install the same version of Windows installed at the factory its legal. It will activate the same way the original factory install did, against the SLIC table in the BIOS. It's the same thing as paying them for recovery media, minus the paying for it part.
I do up my own custom $OEM$ sources folder for each PC with the OEM info for the system screen and some OEM logo's etc. Mine doesn't have the certificate file as I'm installing Windows 10 and my PC's don't have the SLIC table anyway. I can do all the other OEM customization though. Mine are actually pretty bare compared to what the OEM crams in there.

 

Reply for Superfly:
Sorry, I must have overlooked your 1st reply. I ran ADT, & saved the Windows Diagnostic Report.
Is this what you need? HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\ACPI\RSDT\DELL__\CBX3___\01072009
Thanks.

 

Correct. *Smile

No prob... Install Windows 7 Pro (Navy's got official links should you need the download)

Once installed I will send instructions for activation.

 

Reply for Superfly:
Thanks for the message with Windows 7 activation instructions. Once I've backed up & saved
everything, probably over the weekend, I should be ready to reinstall Windows 7 Pro, which as you have
suggested, NavyLCDR will be able to help me with, as I don't have any install discs for that version of Windows.
Thanks again.

 

Reply for NavyLCDR:
As I will need to reinstall Windows 7 Pro so I can activate it, then upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, Superfly has
suggested you may be able to help me with a link (or info) to do that?
Thanks.

 

This tool creates the links to retrieve The ISO files directly From Microsoft :

Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool

 

Have to delay reverting back to Windows 7, as I thought it would be a good idea to have my Lenovo G580 laptop at hand to have online access should there be any hiccups. Collected it from my sisters where it had been for the last 2 months without use, & lo & behold...it won't boot up. I expected the battery to be flat, but after connecting the mains charger there is no life at all, no lights no sound. I googled the problem, & tried the various suggestions, pressing the start button 10 times, hold it for 30 seconds, without the battery etc; etc; but no joy. So have ordered a new charger lead just in case that's the problem. If not, then I will have to take it apart & circuit test it to see what component is causing the trouble.
Hopefully I can fix it, & then do the Dell reinstall.