Windows 10 clean install not activated (Hardware upgraded)


  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Windows 10 clean install not activated (Hardware upgraded)


    So a few months back I upgraded for free from win7 to win10 Pro. Today I got a new CPU, RAM, MBO (also currently using the new MBO onboard GPU, waiting for my new one) and did a clean install of Win10 (from USB created with MediaCreationToolkit). Now I remember reading somewhere about steps to activate Windows 10 after hardware change, but can't seem to find it anywhere, so thought I'd ask here.
    The error I'm getting: 0x004C003 The activation server determined the specified product key is blocked.

    The thing is I need to get this PC up to my needs fast, and this doesn't cope well with that...

    Thanks for the help!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 0
    Dual Boot 10 Pro v1607 10 Pro rs2 build 14971
       #2

    Hi marq020, welcome to Ten Forums. Windows 10 is a free upgrade from win 7. What you did is basically install it fresh on a new computer. If you have a full retail version of win 7 install that first and then upgrade. If you have a OEM version that came on your system then you are probably out of luck. European laws are different so there might be a way around it that I don't know about.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #3

    Do you have registration from W7 ?
    Here's one way to try without having to install W7 first: Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First - Windows 10 Forums
    Another way is to try activation by phone (can use Skype), first from W10 and if no go than you'll have to reinstall W7 and try from there. Most of the time they'll let you do it even for OEM version.
    I think that on Win7 forum you have detailed instructions.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    marq020 said:
    The thing is I need to get this PC up to my needs fast, and this doesn't cope well with that...

    Thanks for the help!
    You basically installed Windows 10 on a new computer. So you have a couple of options:

    1. Purchase a license for Windows 10 to activate what you have now.
    2. Install Windows 7/8/8.1, activate it with the appropriate product key, then upgrade that for free to Windows 10.
    3. Wait for the new Windows 10 update later this month, which is supposed to update it to build 10586. Then you can try to enter your Windows 7/8/8.1 product key directly in Windows 10 to activate it (which is not supported by the current version of Windows 10).

    Microsoft only said that they would upgrade existing installs of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 for free to Windows 10. They never promised to supply free software for new computers that you build.
      My Computer


 

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