My windows 10 has an activation expiration date, what to do?

I didn't clean install my system, it was an upgrade. I upgraded on the 29th, and yeah, I guess I could always wait until that date to see what happens. I've been researching stuff for a while, and it appears that my product key is a generic one. I wonder if I should've waited, I probably would have received an activation code or something via email from Microsoft, or it would've probably been activated already and I would've been ok. My C drive doesn't have enough gigs to shrink the space, so that's out of the question, and I do not have a spare hdd lying around. So.. If I roll back, will I still get that Windows 10 taskbar icon?

MJD said:

I didn't clean install my system, it was an upgrade. I upgraded on the 29th, and yeah, I guess I could always wait until that date to see what happens. I've been researching stuff for a while, and it appears that my product key is a generic one. I wonder if I should've waited, I probably would have received an activation code or something via email from Microsoft, or it would've probably been activated already and I would've been ok. My C drive doesn't have enough gigs to shrink the space, so that's out of the question, and I do not have a spare hdd lying around. So.. If I roll back, will I still get that Windows 10 taskbar icon?

Not sure what you meant by it appears be a generic key. Did not think you did a clean install either as i said recently. Seemed you activated like many others on 29th or day after, reasons why it is showing this i am not sure. Yes if roll back good possibility from certain windows update that you would get this icon again, just would not reserve it and ways to remove it. I personally would either wait and if it fails then try slgmr command or call MS now or then if it fails to stay activated.

That sounds like a plan, jds :)

MJD said:

I've been researching stuff for a while, and it appears that my product key is a generic one. I wonder if I should've waited, I probably would have received an activation code or something via email from Microsoft, or it would've probably been activated already and I would've been ok.

Everybody who upgraded from Windows 7/8/8.1 got the same product key for Windows 10. Windows 10 activates based upon hardware configure stored on Microsoft activation servers, not a product key - unless you purchase a retail version, then you get a unique product key.

NavyLCDR said:

Everybody who upgraded from Windows 7/8/8.1 got the same product key for Windows 10. Windows 10 activates based upon hardware configure stored on Microsoft activation servers, not a product key - unless you purchase a retail version, then you get a unique product key.

Does anyone have a clear ideal of what hardware this is? What is able to be changed without causing issues for a new clean install? Is it the cpu or motherboard or is it something stupid like the hard drive?

99taws6 said:

Does anyone have a clear ideal of what hardware this is? What is able to be changed without causing issues for a new clean install? Is it the cpu or motherboard or is it something stupid like the hard drive?

Lots of people have already upgraded hard drives with no issues. CPU or Motherboard will cause Windows 10 to deactivate. Memory upgrades are OK as well as video card upgrades. Some people have claimed that LAN MAC addresses are part of the equation so new LAN or WiFi cards might be a problem.

Rolled back to Win 7, and it shows as genuine:



So I don't get it. The icon for getting Win 10 is still there, but it doesn't tell me that my upgrade is ready or anything, just the first screen about reserving an upgrade. I think that I might just stick with Windows 7 for awhile longer on my machine.

MJD said:

Rolled back to Win 7, and it shows as genuine:



So I don't get it. The icon for getting Win 10 is still there, but it doesn't tell me that my upgrade is ready or anything, just the first screen about reserving an upgrade. I think that I might just stick with Windows 7 for awhile longer on my machine.

Select cancel reservation if do not want it, believe on Eight-Forums and probably Seven Forums there is ways to get rid of icon and files for this as was put back from downloaded windows updates again. Have to look myself for link unless you are registered there too.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6...dows-10-a.html

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6...s-7-8-1-a.html