can't activate Windows 10 Pro clean install vs 8.1 to 10 upgrade


  1. Posts : 41
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #1

    can't activate Windows 10 Pro clean install vs 8.1 to 10 upgrade


    hey all,

    i'm running into an issue with activating a fresh install of Windows 10 Pro on my netbook.

    i did an upgrade on the same netbook from Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro, which installed and activated fine.

    i decided to try wiping the drive (SSD) and install Windows 10 clean.. the installation went fine, but Windows failed to activate (didn't see any details, just indicated the activation didn't work).

    shouldn't the clean install activate if it's been done on the same hardware as the upgrade install? from what i've read, this is officially supported.

    am i doing something wrong? has anyone else run into this issue?

    thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Lots of people have run into the same problem. Some have waited for a couple of days and it activated. Some have had to go back to their previous operating system and do the upgrade again. Are you sure you stayed with the exact same version of Windows 10 Pro and are you sure the upgrade was from Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro? There are "N" editions of Windows 10 and Single Language Editions of Windows 10. If you didn't clean install the EXACT same version of Windows 10, it won't activate.

    Yes, a clean install of the exact same version of Windows 10 that was previously upgraded to on the same computer is supposed to activate itself without a product key.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 41
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    NavyLCDR said:
    Lots of people have run into the same problem. Some have waited for a couple of days and it activated. Some have had to go back to their previous operating system and do the upgrade again. Are you sure you stayed with the exact same version of Windows 10 Pro and are you sure the upgrade was from Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro? There are "N" editions of Windows 10 and Single Language Editions of Windows 10. If you didn't clean install the EXACT same version of Windows 10, it won't activate.

    Yes, a clean install of the exact same version of Windows 10 that was previously upgraded to on the same computer is supposed to activate itself without a product key.
    yes to all questions.. i added a license key the first time i did the clean install, but have since wiped the SSD and reinstalled using the skip/do this later options.. unfortunately, still hasn't activated. i'll check my date/time settings since apparently that can cause issues with activation as well.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    I'm betting you are going to have to go back to an activated Windows 8.1 and upgrade again.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 558
    Windows 10
       #5

    I think your are going to have to go back and do it again also , i went through the same thing . It never activated even though previously it said my machine was permanently activated .

    Went back to Win 7 and went through the Windows upgrade thing again and that time it activated and it was a clean install. A pita i know but just do it and get it over with .
      My Computer


 

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