Windows 10: Windows 10 Product Key?

First off, I know I don't need one to upgrade. However, at some future time I may want to wipe my PC and re-install, perhaps with a new motherboard, and I really don't want to go via Windows 7 if possible.

Although I can't get my copy to Activate at the moment (I guess the server is a bit busy!) I did notice that the Activation window gave me the last few digits of a Product Key.

I searched in RegEdit for these digits and found an entry named BackupProductKeyDefault*. Will this key work to do a clean install on a modified system?

* In [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform]

:)

 

Windows 10 Unexpected shutdown on start up

OK, so i figured it out myself

Found the logfile in "C:\Windows\Minidump".

You need the Windows Development Kit to open it and a bit of googling to understand it.

Found out that a Daemon driver caused an error. Removed Daemon but this didn't solve it. (ps: Daemon itself worked normally).

I let hibernate my computer again and found another error with sptd2.sys: SCSI Pass Through Direct layer

More google and ended up on the duplexsecure site. Downloaded the W10 version and voila: problem fixed.

For the Windows support team: It would be really helpfull if you could pass problems to a more skilled helpdesk who can do more than proposing the standard solutions in case those won't work.

Cheers

 

Windows 10 Unexpected shutdown on start up

OK, so I also found out that this occurs when sleepmode (for me after 3 hours) changes into hibernate mode.

Seems like the going into hibernate and/or starting up from HIbernate results in a shutdown. In safeboot it works perfectly.

Anyone any idea how I can figure out where it goes wrong. Is there a way to log this (I couldn't find it in bootlog)

 

Hello Nigel, *Smile

Can I reinstall Windows 10 on my computer after upgrading with free upgrade?

Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the USB drive or DVD, and use that to upgrade your device or reinstall after you’ve upgraded.

 

Thanks Brink, but I'd still like to know if the Product Key is valid.

 

You cannot use the upgraded product key to install Windows 10 clean.

You must first upgrade a copy of Windows 7/8.1 on the machine you want to clean install on. Then, you can wipe the upgraded copy and reinstall, skipping any prompts for keys (there's a skip link). It will automatically activate if you have previously upgraded on that same machine.

There is no way to to upgrade on a new machine without first going through an upgrade of an old OS, If it bothers you enough then you will have to buy a new license for Windows 10. (most people would rather save the money). It's just the cost of getting a free upgrade, jumping through a few hoops.

 

I did just that and it used the generic 10 key and told me it was a black listed and blocked key and that I need to buy one. So yeah this doesn't work,

 

I tried to upgrade using the Media Tool. Twice, I tried to upgrade and it failed. I then created a USB and installed from there, which of course became a clean install. It won't accept my key that I got from Windows 8.1. So now I have a Win10 clean install and no key. Would Micorsoft or ASUS be able to give me one?

 

Hello Jeff, and welcome to Ten Forums.

It sounds like you may need to install and activate 8.1 again, then try to upgrade to Windows 10 again. *Sad

 

Can you downgrade from 10? I don't have any installation discs for 8.1. I know there is a folder on my C: Drive now that say Windows_Old.

I guess if I downgrade, then I should just wait until MS decides to upgrade it, and then clean install? Sigh.

 

Jeff,

If you upgraded to 10 from 8.1 and didn't delete the Windows.old folder, then you could use the method in the tutorial below to go back to 8.1 if it hasn't been over a month since updating.

https://www.windowsphoneinfo.com/threads/go-back-to-the-previous-version-of-windows-in-windows-10.8929/

If the above is not an option, then you can download an official Windows 8.1 ISO using OPTION ONE below that you can use to create a bootable USB to clean install 8.1.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

 

Awesome. I will try tonight. Thanks!

 

You're most welcome. Please let us know how it went. *Smile

 

I installed over 4 different machines with different versions of W7 retail. Each with only one drive. Everything went ok on all 4. I created 4 separate ISO's, one for each machine. I then connected a new clean drive in each one and installed the ISO's. All eight have the same ID ending with (3v66t). What's going on here ? Is this normal ?

 

Hi Shawn - My Windows 8.1 laptop doesn't have any product key sticker on it, so I had to use a 3rd party program (BelArc) to find out what it is. If I do a complete clean install of Windows 8.1, the product key will no doubt need to be specified... I'm presuming that the discovered product key will work with the referenced Windows 8.1 software bundle? Or will I have to get an OEM Windows install version from the laptop vendor?