Windows 10: Windows won't activate clean install after upgrade from Windows 7

Hi, I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro 64-bit from Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit when Windows 10 launched, then a few months later, around New Year I decided to do a clean install. I made an installation disc with the program from Microsoft's website and did the procedure, skipping when asked about a product key.

After that, however, I started getting messages that "Activation failed because this device doesn't have a valid digital entitlement or product key. Error: 0x803F7001". That is even though I still have the emails from when I upgraded to 10 and my old install is still listed on my Microsoft account. When I asked Microsoft on the phone about this they told me I needed either the key I used for Windows 7 with which I upgraded or a new Windows 10 key. My old key is long lost and I feel I shouldn't have to pay for a new key when it is pretty clear it's the same machine and since it's also stated I don't need a key after a clean install after an upgrade.

Is there any way to prove that my laptop is the same one that upgraded from windows 7 so that I can get my OS activated? Any and all help is much appreciated!

Here are some of the things that I already tried per advice elsewhere:

- A program that shows the Windows key. It found a key but when I tried it in Change Product Key in settings it thought about it for a while and said "Windows can't activate with this product key" with the same error 0x803F7001 as before. I will probably call Microsoft tomorrow about this key.
- Possibly a new MAC address was made. Nope, it's the same one according to my router.
- Incorrect date and time. Everything regarding that is set to automatically get the information from Microsoft.
- Laptops have the key on a sticker on the bottom. Mine didn't come with Windows so no sticker.

:)

 

Windows 10 BootLoop after reset

Hi Dion,

I apologize for the delayed response.The Windows 7 key won't be accepted to activate Windows 10. If your copy of Windows was activated successfully after you upgrade from Windows 7, then you won't have to activate on subsequent clean install of Windows 10.
if the activation was not successful after the upgrade then you might be prompted to enter the product key. In this case, you will have to install Windows 7 again, activate it with the old key and then perform an upgrade.

 

Windows 10 clean install

I did an upgrade from Windows 7 to 10 (all legal). Now I had to do another clean install of Windows 10 and it won't activate. Will I have to reinstall Windows 7 again to upgrade to Windows 10 for it to activate?

 

ever use method 2 here http://www.fixerrs.com/2015/11/fix-a...x803f7001.html

 

Method 1: I tried with the key that I got from the program as stated in the OP but it didn't work.
Method 2: I tried this just now 2 times to make sure I input things correctly but it told me it couldn't give me a verification code or something of that sort.
Method 3: Isn't this just to install a new Windows 7 then upgrade to 10. This defeats the purpose of doing a clean install.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

O.k. not sure understood exactly what it told touch on method 2, usually would say to contact Microsoft directly as yo udid if this method did not work.
Sure when doing clean install the same Windows 10 Pro was selected ? Try option 3 here Activate Windows 10
Your welcome.

 

About method 2, I input the 63 digit installation ID, but the automated call system told me it could not give me a confirmation ID to enter for the next step. I will try to call tomorrow to talk to a person about this.

I'm pretty sure it was Windows 10 pro 64-bit after the upgrade as well. Are there different versions of pro 64-bit that I might have installed a different one with the clean install, although I remember checking about this stuff before I made the clean install? Also the Microsoft program that made the installation disk said it was going to make one specifically for my machine and windows version so I don't know how it could have gone wrong.

On option 3 from your link, I ran the command with the key I found with the program and got the same successful window that is on the post. However, the watermark is still here and in settings it says Windows isn't activated.

 

If the phone call told you anything usually it will say it does not match and will then tell you to call Microsoft direct on the phone, i did this few times in past myself. What program exactly did you use to make this Windows media, Media Creation tool ? The only other version of Windows 10 Pro 64 bit would be either the KN and N version for Europe or Asia . http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/w...nd-kn-editions

Option 3 it does say to use the key listed in tutorial as everybody has the same key for upgrade for Windows Pro from what i have heard.By watermark you mean to the bottom right on top of the taskbar ?

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9...-download.html

 

To : drt0,
You said " My old key is long lost ......"

Since you have a laptop, is your Win 7 Ultimate product key attached to the bottom of the laptop still readable ?

 

It was with the Media Creation Tool that is Option 2 in the article you linked.

Running the command with the key from the tutorial got me this "Error: 0xC004E016 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004E016' to display the error text." which says that the software licensing service reported that the product key is invalid. And yes on the watermark.

 

Are you sure you have installed right version of pro?

There are 4 versions of the iso (normal, N EU version, SL single language version, and K Korean version.

 

Yes, i said that and thread starter being from Bulgaria.

 

I think both are normal as I had media player on both and that is supposedly missing from N versions. I've always used English as interface language and have a Bulgarian keyboard to switch when typing, so I'm not sure if I can't be sure I wasn't on some English-only version before and now I'm on a Normal version with English. How can I check my current version?