I upgraded Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro. All went well and it showed as activated. Today I did a clean install and all went well. However, after clean install it shows it is not activated and they want money for a key. What is going on?
Maybe their activation servers are just too swamped. Give it a couple days. You can also try typing slmgr /ato in an elevated command prompt and see if it activates. Did you enter a key when you did a clean install or click on the text to skip entering a key?
I skipped entering any key. Did as you said and came back saying "specified key is blocked" error code 0XC004C003
Well, you can search for the generic key that everyone gets ending in 3V66T (I don't know if it is allowed for me to post it here.) When you have the generic key, you can try (in an elevated command prompt) slmgr /upk that removes any keys there. Then slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-3V66T to install the generic key. slmgr /rearm - not sure if you need that or not, rearms activaton. Then slmgr /ato. Online activation. slmgr /xpr will give you your license expiration date if you are activated.
My activation screen changed today. Said to activate online or by phone. Tried to activate on line and it came back and said to try later. Almost immediately it changed back to "Windows not activated". Does anyone have the telephone number to activate by phone? Used to have to call on other versions after a hardware change.
I finally found an article on over the phone activation. Press Windows Key +R and type "slui.exe 4" and enter. Select country from list and choose Phone Activation. Stay on phone and wait for person to help you. Explain problem clearly to them. I was told that they are having problems with clean install activations and was transferred to a tech for help. Wait time was 62 minutes so I took option to call me back. Will update after I talk to them.
I just received a call back from Microsoft Support. I was informed that you cannot do a clean install of Windows 10 and get it activated. I said that I knew of people who had done it and the clean install was activated. He stated that it was only a temporary activation and would lapse after a certain amount of time. He said that I needed to go back to Win 8.1 pro and do the upgrade again and then wait for an e-mail sometime in the future that had the activation key in it (I think I remember something about the key in the e-mail when I originally when I first signed up for the Insider Program). Don't know if this is true info or if it's just MS trying to get me off the phone.
That goes against what is on Microsoft websites and against my own experience doing exactly what Microsoft websites said I could do. Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Windows 10 activated. slmgr /xpr shows permanent activation. Use the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to burn a DVD. Boot the same computer from the DVD, delete all the partitions on the hard drive, do a clean install, skip entering the product key. In the end clean install of Windows 10 activated and slmgr /xpr shows a permanent activation.
Windows 10 FAQ Tips - Microsoft
Can I reinstall Windows 10 on my computer after upgrading?
Yes. Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer, you will be able to reinstall, including a clean install, on the same device. You won’t need a product key for re-activations on the same hardware. If you make a meaningful change to your hardware, you may need to contact customer support to help with activation. You’ll also be able to create your own installation media like a USB drive or DVD, and use that to upgrade your device or reinstall after you’ve upgraded. To learn more, click here.
Like I said, that is what I was told. It could be that it was lunch time in India and he just wanted me off the phone. Not sure what MS is trying to pull but think I will stick with 8.1 pro for time being. Don't like dealing with people you can't seem to trust.
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