Windows10 requiring product key


  1. Posts : 1
    8
       #1

    Windows10 requiring product key


    Please help, I had windows10 "successfully" installed. However, I had to while my hard drive and install windows7 home premium again...now if I try to reinstalled windows10 from there website it now asks me for a product key. Also I have waited, upgraded and allowed the PC to do its own updates etc..but still no windows10 notification in bottom right corner..hope somebody can help me, many thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Is your Windows 7 activated? If it is properly activated a Windows 10 upgrade should not ask for a product key.

    Have you tried the "Upgrade this PC now" option of the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool?
    Windows 10

    After you get a successful upgrade, and the Windows 10 is activated, then you can do a clean install by booting from a Windows 10 USB or DVD which you can also make with the Media Creation Tool. A clean install will ask for a product key and you click on the tiny text that says Skip the step. Might have to skip the Product Key two or three times. IF the upgraded Windows 10 on the same computer was activated, the clean install of Windows 10 will activate. And remember - you have to stay with either the Home or the Pro version - you can't go from Home to Pro or from Pro to Home.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #3

    To repeat what I regard as the most relevant point:

    You can only do a free upgrade from 7 Home Premium to 10 Home. If you downloaded the 10 Pro installer, you'll be asked for a key (which you don't have).
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 140
    Microsoft Windows 10x64 Pro build 19044.1949
       #4

    When it asks you for a product key just leave the space blank and click next. It will either see the Windows 7 product key and automatically authorize the Windows 10 installation or it will see the machines profile and recognize that it already has had a valid installation of Windows 10 and reauthorize it. You really don't need a key for Windows 10 installations.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    MSRadell said:
    When it asks you for a product key just leave the space blank and click next. It will either see the Windows 7 product key and automatically authorize the Windows 10 installation or it will see the machines profile and recognize that it already has had a valid installation of Windows 10 and reauthorize it. You really don't need a key for Windows 10 installations.
    The Next button only becomes active when a key is entered. There is little tiny print "Skip this step" that can be clicked, though. Also, having the Windows 7 key is not enough - Windows 10 will not activate based on a key that it could find. It will activate based upon the original operating system activation. Important difference. The old operating system actually has to be installed and activated, Windows 10 will not read just a key stored in BIOS, for example. Once it activates from an upgrade, then future installs will activate based upon the information stored on Microsoft activation servers.
      My Computer


 

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