Activation

cfourkays · 26 Jul 2020

Just installed a fresh Windows 10 Home on a new HD in an older Toshiba laptop. Can't activate with Produck key off case. Is there any solution to this?
Pete

Caledon Ken · 26 Jul 2020

If it already had Windows 10 when you do the fresh install do not enter any product code.

Wonder if Activation Trouble shooter would work.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...troubleshooter

Ken

NavyLCDR · 26 Jul 2020

cfourkays said:

Just installed a fresh Windows 10 Home on a new HD in an older Toshiba laptop. Can't activate with Produck key off case. Is there any solution to this?
Pete

What version is the product key off the case for? What error are you getting?

flavallee · 26 Jul 2020

What is the complete part/product number (P/N) and exact serial number (S/N) on that Toshiba laptop?
What is the exact Windows version on that laptop's Certificate-Of-Authenticity sticker?
Has Windows 10 ever been installed and activated in that laptop?

cfourkays · 26 Jul 2020

I should know better. Didn't provide enough info.
Had Windows 7 Home.
Satellite L505D.
Installed W-10 using USB created from Media creation tool.
Producy key is for W-7.
PC is old enough it doesn't have the activation baked in the mobo.

Hard drive was OD'ed.

Caledon Ken · 26 Jul 2020

If you have a smart phone take a picture. Then view picture and zoom in. B's and 8's on a worn COA can be tricky.

Anyway see if this is a matter that you were possibly reading a digit incorrectly. Has happened to me on several occasions.

Please don't post picture.

cfourkays · 26 Jul 2020

I have a setup on my work station with a light and a magnifier on a swivel for close work. Been reading these keys since W-98.
I still got an X mixed up with a K.. Activated.
Hey, thanks to all who jumped in.
Pete

Bree · 26 Jul 2020

cfourkays said:

...Been reading these keys since W-98. I still got an X mixed up with a K..

Activated.

To help avoid misreading keys, MS don't use the characters 015 AEIOU LNSZ

perhaps they should have included X/K in that list....

Now your W10 Home is activated with a digital license you won't need that key again. You can clean install W10 Home and and skip entering a key when asked. As soon as it can contact the Microsoft activation servers it will activate from the existing digital license.

MisterEd · 26 Jul 2020

To help me avoid reading thinks like serial numbers and Windows product keys I use my phone to take a picture of it.
I then either zoom in on it on the phone or print it out. It is much easier and avoids mistakes if you write these down on paper.

NavyLCDR · 26 Jul 2020

MisterEd said:

To help me avoid reading thinks like serial numbers and Windows product keys I use my phone to take a picture of it.
I then either zoom in on it on the phone or print it out. It is much easier and avoids mistakes if you write these down on paper.

if only I could remember where I left that darn phone....or at least the phone number