If you're having missing boot sector issues, create a Macrium rescue boot disk on another computer and boot from it. There is a start up repair option in the menus. Tick all 5 options and it will get your machine booting again. I recently used Macrium to restore a backup onto a new SSD but it wouldn't boot. The Macrium rescue disc sorted it out in no time.
Windows 10: Can't activate windows after clean install 
-
New 13 Dec 2017 #11
-
-
New 14 Dec 2017 #12
I'm running Macrium on her PC. Great backup/imaging software. It's saved my 64bit butt numerous times, so I put it on her 32bit PC.
Anyway, will give a blank HDD install a try this weekend and see what happens. Again, it doesn't matter which PC the Win 10 Pro 64bit .iso is created on, right? Meaning, I create the .iso on my 64bit PC and use it to install the OS on her PC?
-
New 14 Dec 2017 #13
Exactly, is does not matter where you create the installer. As long as you downloaded the correct version and bit you want just burn it, and always burn it at the slowest possible speed.
I use this simple program, I`m not sure if the windows program lets you control the burn speed, I never use it.
Free ISO Burner
-
-
New 14 Dec 2017 #14
Thanks for all your help but it looks like I have another issue on her PC as well. During all this fooling around, I kept getting the mesage popping up on her desktop that Windows had Security Updates that needed to be installed but couldn't until the PC was brought up to the current version. It started updating on its own and taking forever.
I decided to check her page file and was startled to see that her 'Default Operating System' was Windows 7 (System/ Advanced System Settings/Advanced/Startup and Recovery/Default Operating System). If I select the main System page (Control Panel/System), it shows Windows 10 Home.
OK, so what's happened here?
Also, could this be the underlying issue with not being able to activate the upgrade to Win 10 Pro 64bit?
-
New 15 Dec 2017 #15
I had originally asked you if she had W10 Home, but removed it because you said she had W10 Pro.
That`s why it won`t activate, use the W7 Pro key to activate windows 10 Pro, as I stated in my 1st reply :)
-
New 15 Dec 2017 #16
AddRam - I'll give it a try this evening and post back.
Thanks.
-
New 15 Dec 2017 #17
Checking her MS account/devices, I see that her online device OS is Pro, v 10.0.16299.15 but her Control Panel/System displays Home. So, where can I find the correct version?
Here's some info that might help:
Also, I'm being led to believe that I can't actually upgrade from the free Home 32bit to the free (.iso) Pro 64bit, since that is a completely different OS that what was free in the first place. Is that right? If so, I'll have to buy the Pro version.Last edited by rzn6jw; 15 Dec 2017 at 16:24.
-
-
New 15 Dec 2017 #18
No, bitness does not matter.
Take the 64bit Windows 10 media, boot it, delete all partitions on the drive then click next and let the installer create what it needs. Select Windows 10 Pro and off you go.
It's that simple.Last edited by Ztruker; 16 Dec 2017 at 14:34.
-
New 15 Dec 2017 #19
Great. Thanks for all your help!!!!!
-
New 16 Dec 2017 #20
But you still need a key for W10 Pro, either use the W7 Pro key or you`ll have to buy one.
Your wife`s install is W10 Home, so you need a key for W10 Pro, period.
Quote
Related Threads
Will Windows activate itself if I do a clean install? in Windows Updates and Activation can't activate Windows 10 Pro clean install vs 8.1 to 10 upgrade in Windows Updates and Activation
hey all,
i'm running into an issue with activating a fresh install of Windows 10 Pro on my netbook.
i did an upgrade on the same netbook from Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro, which installed and activated fine.
i decided to try wiping the...
Can't activate after clean install - don't have a Windows 10 key in Windows Updates and Activation
I've performed a clean install of Windows 10, but can't activate as I don't have a Windows 10 key.
I had been running Windows 8.1. I hadn't yet received the green light from Microsoft to download/upgrade, so I downloaded the Windows 10 media...
Windows 10 will not activate after upgrade / clean install? in General Support Windows does not activate after clean install in Windows Updates and Activation
Yesterday, I did a clean install of build 10162, and during the install, I was prompted to insert my key. I clicked skip, and now if I go to "Activation", it says "Windows is not activated". I tried this and it did not work. What should I do ?
...
