Windows 10 Activation through Microsoft Account Fails

It is a common misconception that you can freely transfer licences from one pc to another using the MS link.

That link was intended to allow users to reactivate Windows on a like/like mobo or similar in event of mobo failure. It was never intended to allow users to reuse licence from an oem installed version. S

if it works it is a bonus, but if not, nothing you can do except call MS and hope they take mercy on you.

If you still have your W7 pro key, you can use that if retail.

Yup, thing to remember with Win 7 OEM, is that the factory installed licence cannot be transferred to a new PC (even with the Activation wizard), however, the COA key (if not used on the PC it came with) can be used on a different PC (the hardware linkage only occurs at the time of activation) - whether this is contrary to the EULA, I dunno - but works as I have tested in VM's.

Superfly said:

Yup, thing to remember with Win 7 OEM, is that the factory installed licence cannot be transferred to a new PC (even with the Activation wizard), however, the COA key (if not used on the PC it came with) can be used on a different PC (the hardware linkage only occurs at the time of activation) - whether this is contrary to the EULA, I dunno - but works as I have tested in VM's.

You likely know all this but I'll mention it for others.
Yeah, they ship from the factory using the OEM-SLP key, and they have to have a COA sticker. And the key on the sticker can't be the OEM-SLP key because that key won't work with stock install media, it won't activate.
The key on the sticker is an OEM-COA key. Anytime I've ever used one of those for the first time I've had to phone activate. Its almost like its not on the activation server until you use it that first time. And I think thats when its actually linked to the hardware its used on. Best guess anyway. It's been a long time since I've used one. They are embedded in the BIOS now for Windows 8 and above so I may never have to do it again.

Just for the record, what account you log in with has no effect on activation. The "Linked to your Microsoft account" is just an optional extra. If you switch to a local account it will just say "activated with a digital license". Switch to a Microsoft account and it will say "activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account". You could do a clean install using an account you have never used before and it will still activate. As long as there is a digital license for that device on the activation server matching the installed edition, it will activate. The account used has no bearing on that.

And deleting / removing a device from the list won't affect activation. You just won't see it listed. Reinstall Windows 10 again latter on, on that device and it will be back in the list. That list is just another optional extra.

alphanumeric said:

You likely know all this but I'll mention it for others.
Yeah, they ship from the factory using the OEM-SLP key, and they have to have a COA sticker. And the key on the sticker can't be the OEM-SLP key because that key won't work with stock install media, it won't activate.
The key on the sticker is an OEM-COA key. Anytime I've ever used one of those for the first time I've had to phone activate. Its almost like its not on the activation server until you use it that first time. And I think thats when its actually linked to the hardware its used on. Best guess anyway. It's been a long time since I've used one. They are embedded in the BIOS now for Windows 8 and above so I may never have to do it again.

Just installed latest Insider in a VM and activated with Win 7 COA - I never needed to phone

Superfly said:

Just installed latest Insider in a VM and activated with Win 7 COA - I never needed to phone

Thats nice to hear. Microsoft seems to be making it as easy as possible to activate (IE get everybody onto) Windows 10.
I bet you still have to call if you use that key to activate Windows 7 though.
I have so many unused legit MSDN Windows 10 keys I haven't had to use a Windows 8 or 7 key to activate a device. Lucky that way I guess. =)