Windows 10 Pro not activating on SSD but okay on HDD

With one of my current PC configurations, I have activated and have been using / activating Win 10 Home without problems. I think this was from a retail key.

Recently, I have discovered / reminded myself that I also have a Win 10 Pro license on this setup, but after cloning my w10 Home from SSD to an image and installing Pro to that SSD, Windows won't activate.

However, installing to a HDD (nothing else has changed) activates windows without issues. I think that Pro license may have been an upgrade from an OEM key (would that be the problem?).

I thought Pro would activate on that same hardware, regardless of SSD or HDD?

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks Kyhi.

That's interesting - I forgot about the Genuine Ticket ..... will give it a try later.

I was going to cloned the sucecessfully activate Ppro on HDD to deploy on the SSD, but I guess the ticket route will be easier / quicker.

Any reason why it's playing up? Anything to do with the Pro potentially coming from a win 7 (I think) OEM key?

According to MS the formula for reactivation is secret but server reactivation is triggered more on disk change and workstation/client more on CPU/board change. I read it recently but can't find the source to back up my assertion and it is probably old anyway.

For a hobby user like me GenuineTicket is still useful. I have been swapping between Pro and WorkstationPro using a generic keys and use GenuineTicket to reactivate - it isn't just for upgrading from old versions.

Kyhi said:

Installed Win10 Pro > activated

I don't understand your point.

If you have a valid license you can get a GenuineTicket and use it to clean install or repair install.

That doesn't mean you really have a license though.

For example you can change your insider build from Pro to WorkstationPro using generic key, get a GenuineTicket and then (after updating your ISO) clean install the WorkstationPro.

Do you have a valid license after that? Perhaps. Perhaps not. I don't know.

Just to clarify that everything was the same except the swap out of the drives.

The USB as the install source and of course hardware were all the same.

I just don't quite understand it?