I HAD a windows 7 PC and I decided to upgrade it to Windows 10, however, I did not do an upgrade, but rather a fresh install. I thought that it would be okay, but no, I guess I can't just do a fresh install and expect it to work. Anyway, where can I purchase a Windows 10 activation key, cheap?
Thanks
Daryl
If you have a Windows 7 backup image you can:
a) restore the image and perform a free upgrade
b) save the Windows 7 PID then clean install
c) clean install following this tutorial:
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First
Thank you. I'll give this a try.
Daryl
- - - Updated - - -
I realize now this will not work.
As I initially said, this system no longer has Window 7 running on it. I decided to do a fresh install rather than an upgrade as I should have. This system is not active since I no longer have an activation key. That is why I am looking for a way to purchase a key, inexpensively. In order to do this I have to create the GenuineTicket.xml file on a system that is already activated and that GenuineTicket.xml file can only be used on the system is was generated on.
So, is there any place that I can purchase an inexpensive activation key?
Thank you.
Daryl
There are places tha aren't on the Dark Web. Example: Forget about Prime Day deals -- all you need is our discounted $39.99 Windows 10 Pro offer! I have no idea what you get for that $40. Seems a bit too good to be true. I did, however, buy such a key, and it activated Win10 Pro. (That copy isn't currently in use, though. Hardware issue.) I've seen licenses for sale for half that or less.
Years ago, cheap Windows licenses tended to be MSDN ones, genuine enough but sold in violation of their EULA. I imagine that most of those were eventually blacklisted.
If you search the Web for deals, I suggest that you be very careful. I expect it's an excellent way to be taken to a malware site.
What you need to do is install an activated Windows 7 so you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free.
Was the original install of Window 7 supplied by the OEM? If so, then it has an System Locked Pre-install (SLP) key in the bios. This is NOT a full windows key, rather it is a marker that in combination with the OEM-supplied W7 will allow it to self-activate without the need to go online. You can check for this, and see which W7 edition it's for (Home, Home Premium, Pro, etc) with ShowKeyPlus
If you have or can get the OEM system recovery DVD for your specific make and model of PC then you can clean install W7 and it will activate from the SLP marker. OEM W7 ISO's for some Dell models are available using the Heidoc tool.
Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool
.If you have (and can still read) the CoA sticker then you can use that to clean install Windows 7 from normal W7 install media, making sure you install the edition that the key is for. In fact, you should be able to clean install Windows 10, give it the W7 CoA key when asked for a key, and it should install the edition of W10 that the W7 key is entitled to upgrade to, and will activate the W10 with a digital licence.
Daryl,
1 That's a very odd statement. I don't know what it means.
- By "not active" do you mean that Windows 10 does not run?
- If you don't mean that, just what do you mean?
2 Do you have a system image of your computer as it was when you had Windows 7 running in it?
- If so, was it made using Windows 7 system imaging utility [Windows backup] or a third-party utility?
3 Have you read Clean install Windows 10 directly without having to upgrade first - TenForumsTutorials?
- That's why people are asking about your Windows 7 product key.
Denis
Sorry if this post was a bit confusing to some. I'll try to clarify my comments.
This PC is one that I built several years ago, not a commercial product that I purchased. I haven't bought a machine in 30 years. Anyway, this PC was relegated to something that the grandkids could play on and I didn't care if they broke it or corrupted it etc....However, it suddenly became useful and I decided to re-purpose it and do a little upgrading. The OS was Windows 7, but who knows what was lurking in that system. It had not been patched for a couple years, and I didn't have any virus protection on it, so I was best to wipe it and do a fresh install.
I used to have Windows 7 ISO and keys to use, but I trashed that information since I no longer need it. Why keep old crap around that I can't use?
I'll ask around in my circle of friends to see if someone has a windows 7 dvd and key that I can utilize, then I can upgrade to 10.
Thanks for you help.
Daryl
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