Win10 Pro Product Key on old machine needed for new one

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  1. Posts : 136
    Windows 10 21H2 Build 19044.3086
       #1

    Win10 Pro Product Key on old machine needed for new one


    and of course I have no idea where my record of my product key for Win10 Pro retail got hidden.

    I've tried the CMD and Powershell methods and no go.

    How do I get my product key so I can use it my new machine?

    I am posting from the old one that has the key right now.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    How you activate Windows 10 after reinstalling it depends on how Windows 10 was originally installed on your device.

    If you activated your free upgrade to Windows 10 or bought and activated Windows 10 from the Windows Store, you have a digital entitlement for your device. This means you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 that your device has a digital entitlement for without entering a product key. During reinstallation, if you’re asked to enter a product key, select Skip. Your device will automatically activate online after the installation is complete.

    If you previously installed and activated Windows 10 using a product key, you’ll need to enter the product during the reinstallation.Starting with Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14371, you can link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 digital license (formerly called digital entitlement) on your device. This can help you reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter if you make a hardware change later, such as replacing the motherboard.

    This tutorial will show you how to activate Windows 10 online or by phone with a product key on your PC.

    You will need an Internet connection and must be signed in as an administrator to activate Windows 10.

    You will need to activate Windows before you can personalize your PC.[/warn]

    Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, activation will use either a digital entitlement or a 25-character product key.

    Digital entitlement is a new method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.
    Activate Windows 10

    How did you originally activate your Win 10?

    ShowKeyPlus
    @Superfly 's program may help you..
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #3

    Transferring from one PC to the other?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 136
    Windows 10 21H2 Build 19044.3086
    Thread Starter
       #4

    25 digit code and I just got it using some non-oem exe since none of the other methods worked.

    I assume now I can just activate the new machine and should have no problems once the old machine gets its new msata and fresh unactivated windows install.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #5

    Be careful which code you retrieved. Windows 10 PC's activated with a Digital License get a generic product code. That code only works if the PC your using it on already has a Digital License. If the key you retrieved ends in -3V66T, it is of no use to you and can't be used to activate the new PC.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 136
    Windows 10 21H2 Build 19044.3086
    Thread Starter
       #6

    ok, so how did I use this retrieved 3V66T code to activate my Win10 Pro install on the computer that seemed to serve activation purposes fine?

    It was a clean install on a blank Msata.

    Did I retrieve the wrong code?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #7

    10fused said:
    ok, so how did I use this retrieved 3V66T code to activate my Win10 Pro install on the computer that seemed to serve activation purposes fine?

    It was a clean install on a blank Msata.

    Did I retrieve the wrong code?
    No you retrieved the currently installed key from the correct place but it is the generic key, not the one you used to activate. The generic key cannot activate a new install of Windows.

    Windows 10 Pro VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
    Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

    As dalchina asked in post #2...

    How did you originally activate your Win 10?
    What does @Superfly's ShowKeyPlus tell you? This can show you the original key in addition to the currently installed key.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #8

    Showkey will get you the key you need, "if" you haven't clean installed with the generic key on that PC after that first activation. A clean install with a generic key will remove all traces of the previous key. The only exception is OEM imbedded keys.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 136
    Windows 10 21H2 Build 19044.3086
    Thread Starter
       #9

    ShowKeyPlus retrieved my original key. So, do I just activate my new machine with that key and not worry about the old one which won't be online ever again? Thanks.

    The old one is getting the puny 32GB Msata removed and a new 500GB Evo Pro stuffed in for a new install that I don't care if it is activated or not although I am pretty sure I have a good non-Win10Pro product key if I needed to customize.

    I suppose I should be curious how the generic key got installed over my retail key.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #10

    10fused said:
    I suppose I should be curious how the generic key got installed over my retail key.
    An upgrade may have done that, did it ever get automatically updated from the original version you installed (say, 1703) to 1709 or 1803? The free upgrade of a Win7 PC to Win10 certainly installed the generic key.
      My Computers


 

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