Windows 10: Windows not activated after clean install

While it's true that MS's activation servers have been overworked, and many people had to wait... the word is this load has decreased and is now more manageable.

Here are a list of things to verify:

1) Are you clean installing the EXACT same version you upgraded to? Home->Home or Pro->Pro? This includes N versions.
2) Did you click "skip" when it asked for a key (if it asked)?
3) Did you make any hardware changes in between?

 

One important point is that to replace a hard drive once the system has been upgraded to Windows 10, the original version of Windows must be installed on the new hard drive and then upgraded again. (This is what I was told by Microsoft support.)

That seems to put a limit on the upgrade. If you need to replace a hard drive (or possibly other component) after the one year upgrade period, you will either have to buy a key or go back to the original version of Windows. (In my case I would be stuck since it seems to be impossible to get install media from Lenovo.)

 

A hard drive replacement by itself will not trigger a hardware configuration change. Many people have already replaced hard drives and cloned Windows 10 over with no need to reactivate or reinstall.

 

Hi NavyLCDR,
I guess I should qualify my comment and say that this is what happened to me and that is what Microsoft told me when I asked.

It is possible that something else I did caused the issue. Before installing the release download I installed one of the previews. Unlike the earlier previews I installed, it nagged about authentication. (The preview period had already closed.) Perhaps that resulted in the blocked key.

 

MS tech support has no idea what they are talking about when it comes to all of this. Several times they gave me wrong info.

You can change a hard drive already imaged one with no issue.

The blocked key message is a generic one.

HankB is your Lenovo a newer one with a UEFI bios? (Came with windows 8 etc)
If so your key is stored in the bios and all you need is the media creation tool for windows 8.

Next, everyone check out my other post. Will post in a sec. *Wink

 

Hi DeeX,
Thanks for the reply. It seems entirely possible that the support person I spoke with provided inaccurate information. What is the best way to get in touch with someone at MS who can provide better help? I got to this person by running slui 4, speaking 9 groups of seven digits and being told that there was a problem whereupon I was transferred to a real person.

This is on a Lenovo G570 that came with Windows 7 Home Premium OA (OEM) and a sticker on the back. I think this predates the key in the BIOS and I do not believe it supports UEFI.

Thanks!

 

Check out my other post. *Smile

Solved Clean Install Activation issues (Error code: 0xC004C003) Fixed - Windows 10 Forums

This may or may not help you but after me trying to activate a clean install on several different systems I have now been able to do the install 4/4. These activated instantly after the clean install; where they didn't activate even after a week+ prior.

Again the blocked key message is a generic message & MS support is clueless on some of this stuff.

I hope it helps someone!