Can't activate Windows 10 after replacing failed SSD

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  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    Can't activate Windows 10 after replacing failed SSD


    Hi,

    My computer's SSD failed, and I just bought a SSD and installed Windows 10 on it. However, it is not activated. I originally had Windows 7, then installed Windows 8 Pro, then upgraded to Windows 10. This is all legal.

    However, I ran a BIOS product key checker on my computer, and it shows that I don't have a product key in my BIOS. Is there anything I can do?

    This is also quite an old machine (from 2007), would it support BIOS product key?

    Any help?
    Last edited by bcodemz; 27 Dec 2015 at 00:35.
      My Computer


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

    What version of Windows 10 did you install?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I installed both the home edition and now the pro edition. I'm pretty sure I installed Windows 8 pro before, because my school license is for a pro version.

    What's worrying me more is that there is no product key in my BIOS! Therefore I'm not even sure if I can install Windows 8 pro again and then upgrade.

    Oh also, my computer did not upgrade to Windows 10 November edition, but the ISO I installed from did.
      My Computer


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

    sounds like you are going to have to find/obtain a legitimate Windows 7/8/8.1/10 product key.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,426
    Windows10
       #5

    Do you still have the 8 pro key?

    If so, you can activate 10 PRO using 8 PRO key (assuming you have a full 8 pro key and not an upgrade key).
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,453
       #6

    cereberus said:
    Do you still have the 8 pro key?

    If so, you can activate 10 PRO using 8 PRO key (assuming you have a full 8 pro key and not an upgrade key).
    Upgrade keys are fine (on version 1511) as well.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    Also, you can run any Windows 7/8/8.1 product key you might have through Superfly's showkeyplus using the check product key option and it will tell you what version of Windows it is for:
    Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,426
    Windows10
       #8

    NavyLCDR said:
    Also, you can run any Windows 7/8/8.1 product key you might have through Superfly's showkeyplus using the check product key option and it will tell you what version of Windows it is for:
    Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
    Used showkeyplus on an oem vista pc, upgraded to windows 7 using an upgrade key, and then upgraded to windows 10.

    Showkeyplus reported oem vista marker, the upgrade key and the generic 10 key.

    Now seemed odd to me was that it showed the upgrade key as 7 Home Retail but did not define it as an upgrade key (maybe this is correct behaviour).

    Now I wanted to download a windows 7 iso with sp1, in case I needed to reinstall windows 7 as original disk was initial release ie pre sp1.

    So I used the 7 upgrade key om MS site, and it was accepted, but told me to choose a language, and only option was KOREAN, and yet my upgrade disk was multi-language!

    I am puzzled now how my original upgrade ever worked. Any thoughts?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #9

    cereberus said:
    Now I wanted to download a windows 7 iso with sp1, in case I needed to reinstall windows 7 as original disk was initial release ie pre sp1.

    So I used the 7 upgrade key om MS site, and it was accepted, but told me to choose a language, and only option was KOREAN, and yet my upgrade disk was multi-language!

    I am puzzled now how my original upgrade ever worked. Any thoughts?
    What Microsoft website were you trying to download Windows 7 from?

    I just tried this one:
    Windows 7

    I have a Home Premium Windows 7 Upgrade product key (printed on the label inside the box of the off-the-shelf retail box). The website above says "The product key you provided is for a product not currently supported by this site or may be invalid. Please try again or visit the Microsoft Support Contact Us page for assistance."

    So, at least you got further than I did! (If you speak Korean anyways!)

    My original Windows 7 disk for my product key is not SP1 either, but it still installs and upgrades to Windows 10 just fine.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 569
    Windows 10 Pro/Windows 7 Ultimate
       #10

    NavyLCDR said:
    Also, you can run any Windows 7/8/8.1 product key you might have through Superfly's showkeyplus using the check product key option and it will tell you what version of Windows it is for:
    Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
    So I can use the key it shows for a re-install? Thanks
      My Computer


 

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