Can't activate Windows 10. Tried everything.

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  1. Posts : 28
    8.1 Pro
       #1

    Can't activate Windows 10. Tried everything.


    I just don't know what to do at this point. Won't activate from the "Get Windows 10" program. Won't activate from the MediaCreationTool. It fully downloads and then restarts, but restarts to Windows 8.1

    Endless failed updates, Tons of useless downloads in my softwaredistrubution folder.

    Can't activate Windows 10. Tried everything.-untitled2.png

    Can't activate Windows 10. Tried everything.-untitled.png

    I get that far and the bottom screen just dies. Doesnt tell me what went wrong. Doesnt tell me anything.

    I downloaded the .ISO file to a USB and thats useless too, When I boot from my USB it just starts up Windows 8.1
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28
    8.1 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Any help would be great
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28
    8.1 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Anyone?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 28
    8.1 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Bump
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    I would suggest making an image of your current Windows 8.1 using Macrium Reflect and saving it onto an external USB hard drive (it will probably be too big to fit on a USB memory stick). Use the Windows troubleshooter (built into Windows 8.1) to reset your windows 8.1 install - which will erase all your accounts and data - that's why you make the image first. Make sure the Windows 8.1 is activated. In Windows 8.1, insert the Windows 10 USB you created (don't boot from it), and run setup.exe from the USB.

    Something in your Windows 8.1 seems to have gotten corrupted during all the updates it's done since it's been installed and that's keeping it from upgrading. Once/if Windows 10 upgrades, you can load Macrium Reflect again, mount the image file you created, and retrieve your data. Or if Windows 10 upgrade fails, you can do a full restore from the image you created and be right back where you started.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 659
    10 preview 64bit
       #6

    Your problem seems to have started in JUNE when only the TP version was available, had you enrolled for the insiders preview???.

    Thats whats i think is getting in the way.

    As for installing via usb you will have to go into your BIOS settings and select load from USB as your primary option.

    Roy
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    hawkman said:
    As for installing via usb you will have to go into your BIOS settings and select load from USB as your primary option.

    Roy
    He has to have a successful upgrade installation first to get Windows 10 to activate. He doesn't need to boot from the USB to do an upgrade.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1
    windows 10
       #8

    I have three pcs; two have been installing just fine. The laptop refused. Finally I removed the non-system drive (ssd) and the install succeeded. Have no idea if that's your problem, but mine turned out to be simple. I went through much stress before I fixed it.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 659
    10 preview 64bit
       #9

    boot


    Hi Navy,

    He said DOWNLOADED iso to USB , NOT an upgrade.

    As his comp boots straight to W8 its obviously picking up the HDD as the primary boot option.....
    which is why he needs to change his Bios

    Roy

    Got the date thing wrong im English
    Its not actually an activation problem its a download failure

    What is the error code from
    ControlPanel>admintools>EventViewer>Microsoft>windows>WindowsUpdate>6/8/15
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    Hey Hawkman, booting from his USB won't do him any good because he has never successfully upgraded to Windows 10 yet - just like he has never booted from his USB yet. Yes, he has to change his BIOS boot order to boot from the USB, but that won't do him any good at this point because he needs to get a successful upgrade first to activate Windows 10 and booting from the USB will do nothing more to accomplish that.

    To upgrade from a USB you plug in the USB while operating in the old operating system and just run setup.exe form it.
      My Computer


 

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