Change Product Key in Windows 10  

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  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
       #20

    Brink said:
    Windows 10 can now be directly activated with a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key that you have upgraded from to Windows 10.
    But activation would not be successful if you receive the following error message: This product key is being used on another PC.

    So you will first need to perform a clean installation of Windows 7/8/8.1 to a new computer and then activate your copy of Windows 7/8/8.1.

    Change Product Key in Windows 10-product-key-being-used-another-pc.-please-try-different-key.-error-code-0x803fa071.png
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #21

    If it's actually for the same PC you are trying to activate on, you should be able to just activate by phone instead of having to do a clean install.

    On a new PC, then yes a clean install will be needed.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #22

    Nipax said:

    It does not work if you are using a Windows 7/8/8.1 product key.

    You will first need to perform a clean installation of Windows 8.1 to a new computer and then activate your copy of Windows 8.1. If you receive an error message saying "This product key is being used on another PC. Please try a different key." then you will need to select the "Call support" option, if you want to activate your copy of Windows 8.1.

    When Windows 8.1 is activated, just do a fresh Windows 10 install (enter your Windows 8.1 key). Or, you can upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10.
    Thanks. I've done as you suggested and installed 8.1 onto the PC in question and following automated phone activation W8.1 is now activated.

    I now want to clean install W10 and so I understand I now need to enter the W8.1 product key into the W10 initial screen... which it does say 'if you are installing a different version..... etc'.

    That's going to be a 5 or 6 hour install again (buggy driver). I just glad I didn't put the time in setting the first W10 install up with all my software and so on.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
       #23

    Mooly said:
    I now want to clean install W10 and so I understand I now need to enter the W8.1 product key into the W10 initial screen...
    Yes.

    When installation is finished, Windows 10 will be activated automatically.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #24

    Lets hope so. I'm just at the early stages of the install (only 1 hour in) and so haven't found out yet.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #25

    Well... W10 has activated OK :)

    So I did have to install 8.1 first, activate using the automated phone service, and then clean install W10 entering the W8.1 product key at the start of the W10 installation. So as Nipax suggested, simply clean installing W10 doesn't seem to work without first installing W8.1 that the license key relates to.

    Thanks :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 36
    Win 10 Pro
       #26

    Hi..
    I have a situation.. I had 2 computers running Windows 7 pro.. I upgraded 1 to Win 10 and it was Activated.. In error, I used the same product key for Win 10 to activate the 2nd computer.. and it went through.. So now I have 2 computers with the same Windows 10 product key and both Activated... I tried to change the product key with a Windows 8.1 key that my school provided me with...once I input the win 8.1 product key...it goes through and I get the message, "Windows is activated"...but it does NOT change the product key.. so both computers have the same Product Key.... will this be an issue later even though both are activated?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #27

    On the activation tab of the updates & security settings menu, do the computers show as activated with a digital entitlement? If they do, then you are good to go. The digital entitlement is stored on Microsoft activation servers.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 36
    Win 10 Pro
       #28

    NavyLCDR said:
    On the activation tab of the updates & security settings menu, do the computers show as activated with a digital entitlement? If they do, then you are good to go. The digital entitlement is stored on Microsoft activation servers.
    Yes, they both say "Windows 10 on this device is activated with a digital entitlement." - - - I was doing more research and noticed that others have the same product KEY as I do.. ending in 3V66T.. I guess those are system generated keys and what matters is the Product ID activation?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #29

    macster said:
    Yes, they both say "Windows 10 on this device is activated with a digital entitlement." - - - I was doing more research and noticed that others have the same product KEY as I do.. ending in 3V66T.. I guess those are system generated keys and what matters is the Product ID activation?
    It's actually the Installation ID which is made up of a number of components, one of which is the Hardware ID which is what makes the Installation ID unique to that computer.
      My Computer


 

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