Win10 Activation Problem - Check my logic here

[us3rnotfound]

UPDATE: I bought Windows for $200.

0. Alienware Laptop with Win8.1 Pro.
1. Downloaded Win10x64 Pro via media creation tool, and did an upgrade install of Win 10 Pro.
2. Linked to Microsoft Account. Activated. Confirmed identity of device in Devices in Microsoft.com login account.
3. 21 days later, installed new WLan card, broke the TCP/IP stack, couldn't fix it.

4. Downloaded Media Creation Tool.
5. Accidentally downloaded Win10Homex64 without realizing it (selected language after selecting product to be downloaded, which reset the product to download). (EDIT: So that may actually be Win10Home x86, since I did the language setting last, but not quite sure of this.)
6. Clean install, skipped both prompts to input Product Key.
7. Linked to Microsoft Account, tried to Activate but failed due to "key being blocked by activation server" or some crap. Here in this step I learned, to my dismay, that I had installed Win10Home.
7a. Went off into a jeep trail by inputting the product key I snuffed out from my upgrade install via the Magic Jellybean Keyfinder (a pro IT tool obviously). It automatically noticed it was a Pro key, so it did an in-place upgrade from Home -> Pro. But, no dice here still. Says this key was blocked by the Activation Server. Frantically Googled this problem, and found a slmgr /ato command that only resulted in a VBS prompt OK_only window that said it was blocked by the activation server.
8. (Least important step): Cursed up a storm, verbal abuse only thankfully.

Proposed path forward:
1. Download Win10Prox64 via Media Creation Tool. Burn ISO to DVD.
2. Clean Install from DVD.
3. Link to MS Account.
4. Go to start - type in Activation since I do not know how to actually get there (being a wiseguy, I know to click the Settings, find the Gear icon as my landmark, and then click the Tile for Check if Windows is Activated or something to that effect).
5. Hope and pray that it was just activated magically.
6. Profit.

Do you think the proposed post-screw up, 6-step process will fix my activation woes?
P.S.: I had to go login to the Microsoft website and delete my second device. It created a new one for this mess-up install. Only thing is, instead of it saying it's a Windows 10 Pro machine, it says Windows 10 Core. So weird. Why is there even a product key? :confused;

 

[Ketchup]

Any key finding software will only give you a "junk" key in Windows 10. Microsoft does not allow to do access your key after it has been entered.

Windows 10 does not like hardware changes (for OEM versions). If you have the correct version on the laptop now, and it still doesn't active, call MS.

Also: some poeple say that it takes a while for the Activation Servers to respond. However, if you still are using the key you pulled with a keyfinder program, it will never activate.

 

[us3rnotfound]

Any key finding software will only give you a "junk" key in Windows 10. Microsoft does not allow to do access your key after it has been entered.

Windows 10 does not like hardware changes (for OEM versions). If you have the correct version on the laptop now, and it still doesn't active, call MS.

Also: some poeple say that it takes a while for the Activation Servers to respond. However, if you still are using the key you pulled with a keyfinder program, it will never activate.

I thought so as everyone who did the upgrade has that key.

Thanks for the idea, but I think i will do a reinstall of Win10 Pro first. Read a thread here in the OS forum by Aolish, from what I gather, MS cannot fix this key blocking issue. I will just delete the text file on my computer with that key as it is useless.

Wish me luck.

By the way, a new wireless LAN card shouldn't change the device, well crap: unless the Mac address is a parameter.

I've installed a new video card on a different win10 PC and it didn't trigger activation.

Well going off into the wilderness. See what I learn.

 

[Ketchup]

Generally, the order for what you want to do is:
1. Upgrade Windows 7 or 8.1 to 10
2. Make sure it activates
3. Use the MS tool to get your version on a DVD on flash drive
4. When you do a fresh install, do not put a key in, anywhere. Let Windows activate on its own.

Note: you CAN sign in with your Microsoft account, but you don't HAVE to, at any part of this process.

 

[us3rnotfound]

Gerally, the order for what you want to do is:
1. Upgrade Windows 7 or 8.1 to 10
2. Make sure it activates
3. Use the MS tool to get your version on a DVD on flash drive
4. When you do a fresh install, do not put a key in, anywhere. Let Windows activate on its own.

Note: you CAN sign in with your Microsoft account, but you don't HAVE to, at any part of this process.

Okay I think that confirms that I went off course at step 3 when I grabbed the wrong version. Hopefully that is all and I can close the case on this one.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I would try an in place upgrade to 10 pro and see if it will reactivate itself, otherwise perform another clean install of 10 pro.