Moved OS/HDD to different machine - now getting activation notice


  1. Posts : 28
    ESXi
       #1

    Moved OS/HDD to different machine - now getting activation notice


    I searched. I know that with XP/7/8/8.1 (and Server OS'es) changing substantial hardware would trigger a reactivation message however this was a legit (free) upgrade from 8.1 Pro x64 to 10 Pro x64. I had a hardware issue with the computer the OS was initially installed on so I moved everything over to a different computer and now its yelling at me to re-activate. I've fixed the machine it was initially running in and tried to put it back but its still yelling at me to activate.

    What is the solution? Did I void some MSFT TOC or License by moving the OS to another machine and therefore I'm SOL?
    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #2

    10userNYC said:
    I searched. I know that with XP/7/8/8.1 (and Server OS'es) changing substantial hardware would trigger a reactivation message however this was a legit (free) upgrade from 8.1 Pro x64 to 10 Pro x64. I had a hardware issue with the computer the OS was initially installed on so I moved everything over to a different computer and now its yelling at me to re-activate. I've fixed the machine it was initially running in and tried to put it back but its still yelling at me to activate.

    What is the solution? Did I void some MSFT TOC or License by moving the OS to another machine and therefore I'm SOL?
    Thanks.
    Hi.
    The free upgrades work like this:
    OEM installed W7/W8.x = free upgrade; digital entitlement, using OEM key + major components. OEM installs are not transferable.
    System builder installs again, are not transferable.
    Retail keys are transferable.

    Now that you have the OS back on the original machine, you could try changing the key in Settings>Update & security>Activation>Change Product Key and inputting your W8.1 keycode. If the system was activated originally with a digital entitlement, it should activate.

    Also, a clean install on an OEM W8.1 system will grab the keycode from the BIOS during install.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28
    ESXi
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks.
    No idea what is going on then. These are both Dell machines that came new with a 7-Pro COA. Per Microsoft's website and what has been posted here I should be able to go from W7-Pro to W10-Pro but when I enter either key (the old machine or the new one I put the HDD/OS into) it fails. Not exactly sure what the difference is between entering the key on the COA sticker vs. a new install with Dell media (which does not need a key as its pulled from the BIOS).

    I'll just do what I've done previously: Nuke the OS, install 7-pro and upgrade. This activation thing is a real pain. Its making me a fan of Apple/Linux more and more...
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #4

    10userNYC said:
    Thanks.
    No idea what is going on then. These are both Dell machines that came new with a 7-Pro COA. Per Microsoft's website and what has been posted here I should be able to go from W7-Pro to W10-Pro but when I enter either key (the old machine or the new one I put the HDD/OS into) it fails. Not exactly sure what the difference is between entering the key on the COA sticker vs. a new install with Dell media (which does not need a key as its pulled from the BIOS).

    I'll just do what I've done previously: Nuke the OS, install 7-pro and upgrade. This activation thing is a real pain. Its making me a fan of Apple/Linux more and more...
    Your post is confusing as you talk about windows 8.1 earlier, then talk about 7 pro coa keys.

    if newc pc has a valid 7 coa key, and you have installed version 10586, it should activate using 7 coa key. COA key on old oc will not work.

    As an aside, dell pcs are shipped with a generic (oem-slp) key, which can only be used with Dell recovery disks. If you want to clean install windows 7, you have to use the COA key (think of it as an override key).

    If your 8.1 pro key that you mention was a retail key, you could use that to activate yiu windows 10 install (if 10586). In some cases, you might need to instal 8.1PRO first and get it activated.

    Rather pointless if new PC has a 7 pro coa key (although this seems a bit odd as Dell pcs have not been shipped with windows 7 coa keys for many years - I guess you do not really mean brand new).
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 28
    ESXi
    Thread Starter
       #5

    cereberus said:
    Your post is confusing as you talk about windows 8.1 earlier, then talk about 7 pro coa keys.

    if newc pc has a valid 7 coa key, and you have installed version 10586, it should activate using 7 coa key. COA key on old oc will not work.

    As an aside, dell pcs are shipped with a generic (oem-slp) key, which can only be used with Dell recovery disks. If you want to clean install windows 7, you have to use the COA key (think of it as an override key).

    If your 8.1 pro key that you mention was a retail key, you could use that to activate yiu windows 10 install (if 10586). In some cases, you might need to instal 8.1PRO first and get it activated.

    Rather pointless if new PC has a 7 pro coa key (although this seems a bit odd as Dell pcs have not been shipped with windows 7 coa keys for many years - I guess you do not really mean brand new).
    These are old PCs. Dell T5500's manufactured in 2009-2010. They came with W7 Pro COA's. I later put W8 Pro on a few of them (legal Pro volume license) and then further upgraded to 8.1 Pro when it became available. Do I need to reinstall W7 Pro and go from that directly to 10?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #6

    10userNYC said:
    These are old PCs. Dell T5500's manufactured in 2009-2010. They came with W7 Pro COA's. I later put W8 Pro on a few of them (legal Pro volume license) and then further upgraded to 8.1 Pro when it became available. Do I need to reinstall W7 Pro and go from that directly to 10?
    You should be able to use the latest ISO from MS TechBench and just input the W7 key during installation.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #7

    simrick said:
    You should be able to use the latest ISO from MS TechBench and just input the W7 key during installation.
    Agreed. No need to use 8 keys. Save those for later if you wish.

    In fact, if you wanted a dual boot 7/10 or 8/10 pcs, this is pemissible ie as you have separate 7/8 licences (use one to activate 10 and user other to install other old os).
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:36.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums