What would cause Windows to activate prior to the input of a CD-Key? From some supposed "digital license"? I had installed an OEM version prior to this but deleted the partition and formatted prior to my (current) retail version.
When Windows was activated under the OEM version, a digital license for that edition of Windows 10 (Home, Pro, etc) was saved on Microsoft activation servers matched to a unique Hardware ID generated for that computer. When you re-installed Windows and connected to the internet, Windows contacted Microsoft Activation Servers and sent the Hardware ID of the computer to the server. The digital license for Windows 10 matching that Hardware ID was returned and Windows activated itself.
Hmm, so I have to purchase a new... motherboard? In order to use this (new) retail version of Windows? No chance of contacting Microsoft directly?
If you are trying to upgrade from Home to Pro, just change the product key on the activation screen from the settings menu. If your new retail version of Windows 10 is the same edition as what you had installed previously, you wasted your money. But you can, if you really, really want to just enter the product key on the same activation screen.
To get to the activation screen, click on the start icon, then the settings icon. Click on Update & Security, then Activation in the list on the left.
As a side note, if this is a retail off-the-shelf preassembled computer then the OEM product key for Windows 8 or 10 is stored in the computer's firmware on the motherboard and Windows setup will read that product and install the matching edition of Windows 10 without any user intervention.
The previous (OEM) version of Windows 10 was "Pro", however currently "Home" is installed, I think? Technically the PC is operating, conditionally, using the OEM software...
You can see if there is a digital license for Pro already established by attempting to change the product key to:
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
If you are connected to the internet, and there is no digital license for Pro stored on Microsoft Activation Servers for that computer, the upgrade to Pro will fail.
"Windows is activated with a digital license..." -- this hasn't changed despite the input of a retail key.
To enable a difference in functionality between an OEM copy and a Retail one.
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