Windows 10 install - key never asked for.

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  1. mrg9999
    Posts : 21
    mrg9999
       New #1

    Windows 10 install - key never asked for.


    After waiting months for my PCs to be upgraded (but failing due to drivers), I decided to manually install some.
    I used the media creation tool to create a windows 10 32&64bit install iso.
    at Windows 10

    I booted each machine from the ISO, and installed windows 10. Never has it asked me for a key.
    Each one says it's activated.

    Is this expected?

    The details for each is the same, I have put in XXXXX in parts of the detail.

    Computer : .E5440W10x32
    Caption : Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
    CSDVersion :
    OSArch : 32-bit
    BuildNumber : 10240
    RegisteredTo : XXXXX-obfuscated@outlook.com
    ProductID : XXXXX-80000-00000-XXXXX
    ProductKey : XXXXX-JDJH7-VJ2WF-DY4X9-XXXXX


    Computer : .S7110W10x64
    Caption : Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
    CSDVersion :
    OSArch : 64-bit
    BuildNumber : 10240
    RegisteredTo : local-adm
    ProductID : XXXXX-80000-00000-XXXXX
    ProductKey : XXXXX-JDJH7-VJ2WF-DY4X9-XXXXX
      My Computer
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  3. Joergi
    Posts : 609
    W10
       New #2

    mrg9999 said:
    I used the media creation tool to create a windows 10 32&64bit install iso.

    I booted each machine from the ISO, and installed windows 10. Never has it asked me for a key.
    Each one says it's activated.

    Is this expected?
    It is nice, if that worked for you and if you ask me, I would also be happy, if Microsoft finally allowed users to directly do a clean installation and to then get Windows 10 activated.

    However, according to Microsoft, this is not expected.

    If you do a clean installation on a PC and Windows 10 had never before been activated on that PC, then - according to Microsoft - it should not activate.
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  4. mrg9999
    Posts : 21
    mrg9999
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Joergi said:
    It is nice, if that worked for you and if you ask me, I would also be happy, if Microsoft finally allowed users to directly do a clean installation and to then get Windows 10 activated.

    However, according to Microsoft, this is not expected.


    If you do a clean installation on a PC and Windows 10 had never before been activated on that PC, then - according to Microsoft - it should not activate.
    It even works for a virtual machine. I was wondering if the media tool encodes my windows 7 MAK into it somehow. I'll create an ISO from another machine and see.
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  6. Ztruker
    Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       New #4

    Your computers are not activated. Open a Command Prompt and enter slmgr /xpr

    If it's activated, it will show:

    Windows 10 install - key never asked for.-slmgr.jpg

    Normally, you have to do an upgrade from your current OS (7, 8 or 8.1) to 10 and activate it before you can do a Clean Install (what you did), or follow these directions to do a Clean Install without doing the upgrade first:

    Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First

    Where you are now I think you will need to reinstall the previous OS then either upgrade to 10 or follow the above directions.
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  7. DavidE
    Posts : 353
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64
       New #5

    mrg9999 said:
    It even works for a virtual machine. I was wondering if the media tool encodes my windows 7 MAK into it somehow. I'll create an ISO from another machine and see.
    mrg9999 seems to have a MAK key.
    What are the rules for MAK keys ?
    I thought business (volume) licenses didn't qualify for the free upgrade, but i certainly could be wrong.
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  8. DustSailor
    Posts : 463
    Windows 10 Home and Pro
       New #6

    DavidE said:
    mrg9999 seems to have a MAK key.
    What are the rules for MAK keys ?
    I thought business (volume) licenses didn't qualify for the free upgrade, but i certainly could be wrong.
    If you're connected to a domain, or you have enterprise, it will not work. I can confirm volume license Pro WILL upgrade (it offers it in update just like everyone else).
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  9. DavidE
    Posts : 353
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64
       New #7

    I'm a "home user", helping family and friends that are also home users.
    I don't have a volume license, so no experience here.
    Thanks for the info about my misunderstanding about VLK keys.

    I read the posts, and wanted to understand if the legal activation does/doesn't work for "normal home users".
    I think you are saying some (Pro) Volume License keys can be upgraded, with the free upgrade offer ?

    imho, the original license type should be specified in the OP/question/issue ...
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  10. DustSailor
    Posts : 463
    Windows 10 Home and Pro
       New #8

    I was talking about mak keys for volume license. I don't know if you can get the home version with volume license or not, I only used the pro version. And yes, it worked. I have no idea for vlk keys, those are complicated, not sure if it would work.
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  12. DavidE
    Posts : 353
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64
       New #9

    I did not ask about a home version, i asked about upgrading a home user, and they might have W10 Home or W10 Pro.

    I'm learning business / VLK / MAK licenses have rules i don't understand.
    I just wanted to know if the OP post applied to Home users, i don't think so now.

    To me it seems this is now a license type issue/question, and it might cause confusion for home users trying to follow the previous instructions.

    I'll drop off this thread as i think i am asking too much, and confusing things.

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  13. KACI
    Posts : 131
    Windows 10
       New #10

    Am I missing something? Are we talking about doing a clean install from the iso or just using it to do an upgrade?
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