Windows 10: Windows Activation

I had to carry out a clean re-install of W10 on my machine. I didn't put in my original activation number during the re-install that came with the retail version I purchased a little while ago because it successfully activated first time around.

This time though, it wouldn't activate for love nor money. Various codes kept popping up and directing me to the Store to purchase a genuine copy. Cheeky.....

It was like this for three days so I got in touch with Microsoft support using online chat. I allowed them remote assistance of my PC. It's a gaming PC only, nothing of a personal nature and I could see what he was doing anyway. He couldn't get it to activate either and he tried all manner of ways. In the end, he was putting a slew of commands into Command prompt and eventually my Windows is now Activated.

Problem is, when I go to 'Settings' and check the activation number, the set of numbers is different to my purchased retail number. It's all greyed out accept the last four digits which are different. Did he give me a totally new number? What if I need to re-install again? Do I continue using my original number or just leave it to activate by itself using the new number?

:)

 

Can't Activate newly purchased windows 10 home

hi, I used the usb boot tool and installed windows 10S on my laptop. I realized I couldn't download anything not from the app store so I purchased windows 10 home. I was given a product key but it is not accepted in the activation settings. Just trying to
get this laptop operable.

Thanks

 

Upgrading to Windows 10 and Activation issue

Upgrading to Windows 10 for Windows 7

If you are going to upgrade Windows 10 from Windows 7 then you got a issue related Windows Activation.

And i.e. Product Key Blocked.

Now to activate Windows 10 mostly people use KMS Activation that actually activate Windows 10 but not permanently.

Those people use KMS activation go and check that Windows 10 is activated Permanently or not.

To check: -

1) Go and run CMD as Admin.

2) Then Type this command: -

slmgr -xpr

If Windows 10 is not activated then you got this: -

Windows is in Notification Mode.

And if your Windows 10 is Activated using KMS Activator the you got this: -

Expiry Date of your Windows Activation :
06/june/2016

If you use Genuine Windows Product Key then you got this: -

Machine is Permanently Activated.

So, Activating Windows 10 for Permanently is a issue and there is no Activator that Activate Windows 10 Permanently.

In case of Upgrading Windows 10 for Windows 7 and to activate: -

Buying Genuine Product Key from Windows Store is a only option to Activate Windows 10 Permanently.

Now how to Activate Windows 10 Permanently: -

If you want Permanently Activated Windows 10, then go and install Windows 8.1 and then Upgrade to Windows 10.

Before Upgrading Windows 10 to 8.1 Activate Windows 8.1 using Activator of your Choice (KMS Activator)After Upgrading to Windows 10 go and Activate your Windows 10 online, this will Activate Windows 10 Automatically.

Now go and check Windows Activation detail: -

Open CMD and follow those steps again: -

Type slmgr -xpr

And you got: -

Machine is Permanently Activated...

 

We see a few of these posts where MS support goes into witchcraft-mode and nobody knows WTH they are doing...

I wish someone could record visually the process they take in these. Activation keys and installed keys are not necessarily the same with digital - i.e. the activation server will send a digital licence based on eg. a Win 7 key but Win 10 does not have those stored so uses a default key as a place-holder - the key is no longer attached to the licence.

 

the last four digits may now match the appropriate generic key.
Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

If MS didn't use a generic key then it was 'witchcraft'...

 

Where in settings are you actually seeing a partial product code listed? I can see Device ID and Product ID but neither of those is the actual Product code? What am I missing?

 

slmgr /dlv

 

I know about that, thanks. It was the OP's "Problem is, when I go to 'Settings' and check the activation number, the set of numbers is different to my purchased retail number." comment that prompted my question. I'm guessing he was looking at the Product ID. Just wondering if something changed and you could actually see your product code by going to a settings screen?

 

I'm also wondering if maybe the OP's is activated, somehow, with a product key only type of activation and not a digital license, and maybe that's causing the activation screen under Update and Security to show a partial product key.

 

It's been so long since any of my PC's showed as "activated with a product key" I can't remember if a partial key was shown? Sounds like that might be it though.

 

If he has "different to my purchased retail number" then it should be digital... will be nice to see a screenshot though..

 

Yes, a screen shot would clear it all up. I suspect he was in settings > system > about and was looking at the Product ID.

 

Hmmmm.. the PID is tied to the pkey though - so will change

 

To be more clear, I think he thought the Product ID was the Product Code. Even though it has one less group of 5. Just my best guess. Will have to wait and see if they post back with more info.

 

Hmmm ..prob.

BTW.. just noticed you got Guru.. well deserved, bud.