Unable to Activate Windows 10

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  1. Posts : 6
    Mac Catalina/Windows 10 via Parallels
       #1

    Unable to Activate Windows 10


    I've been running Win 10 via Parallels on a Mac. Over the past month my attempts to download the latest Windows build upgrade have all failed. Then as of today am not able to reboot Windows at all. "Starting....." then just hangs.
    I decided to reinstall the OS and start fresh. However, once installed, the 2nd iteration of Windows rejects my product key when I try to activate.
    Suggestions to reconcile the above?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 30,530
    Windows 10 (Pro and Insider Pro)
       #2

    Hi Mr. G an welcome to Tenforums!
    If you reinstalled on the same system that was activated before... no key is needed. Install and let it activate.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 6
    Mac Catalina/Windows 10 via Parallels
    Thread Starter
       #3

    It does ask me to activate using the product key.
    After which, error message: "We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid product key...."
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 30,530
    Windows 10 (Pro and Insider Pro)
       #4

    Which Windows did you install? Where did you download ISO file?

    Update: check this thread on Parallel's forums (in case you downloaded Windows from link on Desktop):

    cant-activate-windows-10
    Last edited by AndreTen; 08 Nov 2019 at 18:47.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 6
    Mac Catalina/Windows 10 via Parallels
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Downloaded the ISO file from MS Windows 10 site.
    Is a 2nd installation perhaps prevented from same key activation by design? If so, would I need to delete the original Win install in order to activate the fresh version?
    Thanks
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 30,530
    Windows 10 (Pro and Insider Pro)
       #6

    OK, a few questions:
    1. How did you obtain the Windows key? Which version (Home or Pro)?
    2. Your previous Windows install was activated?
    3. Your second install (this one) is on the same partition? (or virtual media)
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 13,898
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #7

    Once Win10 has been installed and activated I've never had a problem with Reset or Reinstall or even a clean install with the activation by clicking I don't have a key when it appeared on the screen. The activation is tied to the computer and seems to be permanent unless making sufficient hardware changes, HDD excluded.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 3,453
       #8

    Mr G said:
    I've been running Win 10 via Parallels on a Mac. Over the past month my attempts to download the latest Windows build upgrade have all failed. Then as of today am not able to reboot Windows at all. "Starting....." then just hangs.
    I decided to reinstall the OS and start fresh. However, once installed, the 2nd iteration of Windows rejects my product key when I try to activate.
    Suggestions to reconcile the above?
    Unfortunately I have no exprerience with Parallels but I would assume it generates a different hardwareID at each install - if so the Digital Licence will be lost with the new install...

    The second problem is that the product key's activation count has been depleted and can't get a new DL - is this a Retail or OEM key?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 13,301
    Windows 10 Pro (x64) 21H2 19044.1526
       #9

    @bro67 may be of assistance I believe he works with Macs.
    unfortunately my experience is ipads and powerpcs.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 13,898
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #10

    thomaseg1 said:
    @bro67 may be of assistance I believe he works with Macs.
    unfortunately my experience is ipads and powerpcs.
    For others following this thread, the PowerPC [Motorola/IBM] was/is an older CPU for Apple computers, replaced by Intel CPUs some 10 years or so ago. Mine of mid-2010 was a MacBook Pro but the drive controller failed and not cost-effective to repair.
      My Computers


 

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