Windows 10: Windows Asking for Product Key I Don't Have

Thanks I will use this information tomorrow and get back to you if I have questions!

 

Yep, you can not clean install windows 10 unless you have bought it retail. Or you upgraded from 7 SP1 or 8 or 8.1 and confirmed Windows 10 is activated, then you can clean install 10 and it will auto activate.

You must upgrade from 7 SP1 to get it free.

As stated, you have to re install and activate 7 with your key from the COA. You did not do an upgrade, so your key will still work fine for activation, install the same version that you had before.

Or if you did not wipe out your Windows 7 Recovery partition, use that to reinstall 7.

Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Attachment 34688

 

Doubt it, most windows operating systems give you 30 days, and that`s it.

You can use it for 30 days, then you have to activate it or your PC will self destruct.

 

You said you thought it was a "purchased version" -- that comes WITH a key. If you buy the box, they key is on a card inside the box. IF you buy it online, the key comes in an email.

But, sounds like, from what you said, it was not a purchased version -- and as others have said, in the present condition, it will never activate -- since MS does not allow you to enter Win7/8/8.1 keys to activate the version you have.

 

Absolutely 100% false. It's very easy to delete OEM recovery partitions. Most people who do it do it by accident attempting to install or upgrade Windows. I've done it intentionally on every computer I have purchased.

To the OP: use showkey found on these forums to retrieve any previous Windows product keys that might be stored in BIOS.

 

Oh? That easy, eh sailor? Then tell me how do you get rid of a MSI lappy bios_rvy partition with any Windows or MS software? Perhaps you can teach us all something.

That's a good suggestion, except how would the OP perform that if there's no OS installed? Hmm?

 

Just for information only. You don't need to do clean all.

clean will also work & is faster and only deletes that one drive. Clean all deletes all drives including any drives attached to the system.

Substitute clean all with just clean

Delete/Format OEM Partition on Clean Install? - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

So what you are trying to say is that because you can't do it on your particular computer that nobody can do it?

Again, 100% false assumption, not everyone has computers exactly like yours. There are a bunch of different ways to delete recovery partitions on most computers. Installing windows, click custom install, advanced, click on the partition on the hard drive and the delete option. Or from Diskpart - the command clean will do it. Or from disk management inside windows, right click the partition and delete.

If you took time to read the OP you would notice the first words:

If you set your arrogance aside for a few moments, maybe you could learn something from these forums.

 

I would think a Partition Wizard Boot CD could do whatever you want.

Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

 

The OP has Windows 10 installed just not activated.

Jim *Cool

 

A Windows 7 key is not stored in the Bios.

 

Right and he has no key, he has to reinstall 7, and use his 7 key to activate, it will still work, as he did a clean install of 10, he never upgraded. After he reinstalls 7 SP1 he can then upgrade to 10, confirm activation, then do as many clean installs of 10 as he wants.

But with a fresh install of 7 then an immediate upgrade to 10, there`s no real need to worry about a clean install, everything should be perfect.

But if you really feel the need, go for it, and 10 will auto activate.

 

@NavyLCDR

I thought I recognized you from somewhere:

asking info about a Clean Install and activation of Win 10 - Windows 10 Forums

We all make mistakes, but in reading your posting history I see one of your tactics is to go around correcting members and not with a very nice demeanour IMO with this cocky-type smiley >

BTW, you were wrong there. From that same thread: asking info about a Clean Install and activation of Win 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Who said anything about my computer? If you took the time to read the OP's system specs you'd see he has an MSI laptop in which have a bios_rvy partition. The question was how he got rid of it. Yes, I was wrong in stating that it was impossible, but I continue to think the OP still has that partition. I may be wrong, but it probably won't be deleted with advanced option during Windows install. I hardly think Diskpart will do it either. Actually AddRAM probably had the best solution with MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Arrogance? > We only see in others what we see in ourselves. Your member name says it all for me. I found through life that some of you military personal think your above everyone, especially with showing rank. Also by that comment you must think you know it all then, eh?

And what about this?

If you haven't noticed, this forum is a "we thing", not just a one-man/woman show. Not any member is perfect and has an absolute solution to any given problem. I have my solution here: