Windows Activation

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  1. Posts : 180
    Windows 10
       #1

    Windows Activation


    I had to carry out a clean re-install of W10 on my machine. I didn't put in my original activation number during the re-install that came with the retail version I purchased a little while ago because it successfully activated first time around.

    This time though, it wouldn't activate for love nor money. Various codes kept popping up and directing me to the Store to purchase a genuine copy. Cheeky.....

    It was like this for three days so I got in touch with Microsoft support using online chat. I allowed them remote assistance of my PC. It's a gaming PC only, nothing of a personal nature and I could see what he was doing anyway. He couldn't get it to activate either and he tried all manner of ways. In the end, he was putting a slew of commands into Command prompt and eventually my Windows is now Activated.

    Problem is, when I go to 'Settings' and check the activation number, the set of numbers is different to my purchased retail number. It's all greyed out accept the last four digits which are different. Did he give me a totally new number? What if I need to re-install again? Do I continue using my original number or just leave it to activate by itself using the new number?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,453
       #2

    We see a few of these posts where MS support goes into witchcraft-mode and nobody knows WTH they are doing...

    I wish someone could record visually the process they take in these. Activation keys and installed keys are not necessarily the same with digital - i.e. the activation server will send a digital licence based on eg. a Win 7 key but Win 10 does not have those stored so uses a default key as a place-holder - the key is no longer attached to the licence.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 31,398
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #3

    Runnerbean said:
    Problem is, when I go to 'Settings' and check the activation number, the set of numbers is different to my purchased retail number. It's all greyed out accept the last four digits which are different...
    Superfly said:
    ...Win 10 does not have those stored so uses a default key as a place-holder....
    the last four digits may now match the appropriate generic key.
    Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

    We see a few of these posts where MS support goes into witchcraft-mode and nobody knows WTH they are doing...
    If MS didn't use a generic key then it was 'witchcraft'...
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 15,010
    Windows 10 IoT
       #4

    Where in settings are you actually seeing a partial product code listed? I can see Device ID and Product ID but neither of those is the actual Product code? What am I missing?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    alphanumeric said:
    Where in settings are you actually seeing a partial product code listed? I can see Device ID and Product ID but neither of those is the actual Product code? What am I missing?
    slmgr /dlv
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 15,010
    Windows 10 IoT
       #6

    NavyLCDR said:
    slmgr /dlv
    I know about that, thanks. It was the OP's "Problem is, when I go to 'Settings' and check the activation number, the set of numbers is different to my purchased retail number." comment that prompted my question. I'm guessing he was looking at the Product ID. Just wondering if something changed and you could actually see your product code by going to a settings screen?
      My Computer


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

    alphanumeric said:
    I know about that, thanks. It was the OP's "Problem is, when I go to 'Settings' and check the activation number, the set of numbers is different to my purchased retail number." comment that prompted my question. I'm guessing he was looking at the Product ID. Just wondering if something changed and you could actually see your product code by going to a settings screen?
    I'm also wondering if maybe the OP's is activated, somehow, with a product key only type of activation and not a digital license, and maybe that's causing the activation screen under Update and Security to show a partial product key.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,010
    Windows 10 IoT
       #8

    NavyLCDR said:
    I'm also wondering if maybe the OP's is activated, somehow, with a product key only type of activation and not a digital license, and maybe that's causing the activation screen under Update and Security to show a partial product key.
    It's been so long since any of my PC's showed as "activated with a product key" I can't remember if a partial key was shown? Sounds like that might be it though.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3,453
       #9

    If he has "different to my purchased retail number" then it should be digital... will be nice to see a screenshot though..

      My Computer


  10. Posts : 15,010
    Windows 10 IoT
       #10

    Yes, a screen shot would clear it all up. I suspect he was in settings > system > about and was looking at the Product ID.
      My Computer


 

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