Product key won't work when I try to install Windows 10

Toxiconym · 27 Sep 2015

Alright, so I need help with a laptop I bought but first some info.
I went to a pawn shop and got a used Windows 10 home laptop. It worked, it was great, I went home to use it. It's 64 bit. However, I decided to factory reset it, just in case. It was going well, so I left it so it could reset. When I came back to it, it had failed, and my computer was left in a constant blue screen of death restarting sequence. After a few hours of looking up fixes, I figured it out. I used the media creation tool to download Windows 10 using a different computer onto a USB. I booted it up, and my computer was fixed. Except, I had accidentally chosen the 32 bit option, so now my computer says '32 bit with a 64x based processor'. I tried to just install the media creation tool again, but 64 bit, but it wouldn't let me. I needed to insert the product key. I found it, but it won't accept it. After a while I gave up and just went back to 32 bit. However, I would really like to upgrade to 64 bit, which is why I'm still looking for a solution. I learned that the laptop was at first Windows 7, but there wasn't an option to downgrade in the updates and security settings section. If you need more information to help me, I'd be glad to elaborate

topgundcp · 27 Sep 2015

Since Windows 10 was already activated. Just wipe the disk and re-install X64. select Skip or Do it Later when asked for product key.

Toxiconym · 27 Sep 2015

topgundcp said:

Since Windows 10 was already activated. Just wipe the disk and re-install X64. select Skip or Do it Later when asked.

That's the thing, either it was never activated or the factory reset somehow messed it up. If I try to skip it, it'll restart the boot.

NavyLCDR · 27 Sep 2015

Toxiconym said:

That's the thing, either it was never activated or the factory reset somehow messed it up. If I try to skip it, it'll restart the boot.

1. Run the Media Creation Tool for the same bit level that the OS is that you are running it on. If your OS that you are on is 32 bit, then run the 32 bit Media Creation Tool. If your OS that you are on is 64 bit, then run the 64 bit Media Creation Tool.

2. Using the MCT, download the Windows 10 ISO that you want to install - it does not have to match your current bit level. Make sure you download the exact same version that you want to replace, as in Home, Pro, N or Single Language - but you can pick the desired bit level 32bit or 64bit.

3. Boot the computer that you want to repair from the USB or DVD. Click Install Now, then select custom install.

4. Delete all the partitions listed on the hard drive so you are left with only 1 big unallocated space. Select the unallocated space to install to and let Windows install do it's thing.

5. When asked for a product key, click "skip" or "do this later". Might have to do that 2 or 3 times at different times during the install.

If Windows 10 won't install, there is something else wrong than just not having a product key. If you install a version of Windows 10 that was not activated on that same computer previously, the issue you will have is that Windows 10 will install - but it won't activate itself.

blutos cousin · 27 Sep 2015

You can roll in the 64 bit OS as described above i.e. custom install ..( Then acivate Windows 10 anytime ) as long as your PC was previouly activated on Win 10 .

Long way (but ensures activation ) only if your win 10 install was never activated or it was a test build .

Use the win 7 product key and downlad Win 7x64 (whatever kind it had ) from M.S. then you can install *that * and go on line and activate it with the product key then roll in win 10 x 64 from the installer tool and it should activate itself when you go on line or you can force it .

i.e. AFAIK a Windows 7 product key wont work in windows 10 at all except during the in place upgrade or first time clean install to W10 RTM then win 10 eats the win 7 key .

Keep in mind on a custom (clean) install you will loose your files and installed software outside of what comes in Windows
(not much ) .

Another option is to order factory recovery media if you want the bloat and whatever came with it software wise if it was never activated in win 10 rol that in ,then update * that OS * .to win 10 .

Note : you will likley need to downlod and install your specific PC HDWE drivers including sound ,video and wireless etc. *outside of a bios ,chipset or any controllers * from the mfr. and or vendors on a *clean install ....*outside of OEM recovery media* and install those drivers *after you install Windows *

If it wont activate (after you install it ) call ms and explain your situation and maybe ..........you must be on line to activate Windows 10 anyway just like before you shouldent need a product key on Windows 10 * if it was activated on that PC allredy*

I've done 2 Windows 10 RTM upgrades , a clean install RTM and a few clean installs and auto updates on the test builds and more windows installs than I can remebmber going back to Windows 3.0

If the ( correct version of Windows 10 ) in relation to your media was activated on *that* PC at any time it should work fine (the profile for activating Windows 10) is stored at MS once it's been activated and you must be on line to activate windows 10 or any of them anyway .

In the unlikey event all the above fails Assuming your PC had a genuine OEM upgrade to RTM You can also call Microsoft cust service they can look up your Windows 7 product key and tell you if it has been used ,if it is still valid on Win 7 x64 or de activated (as would happen in a Win 7 or win 8 upgrade to RTM when it gets eaten ) but try the clean [custom install ] from media as described above first ,LCDR knows his stuff .