Windows 10 clean install on new SSD...didn't activate.

[Ichinisan]

I was told that Windows 10 would activate, no BS, based on a fingerprint of my system. No key required.

I originally had Windows 8 Pro + Media Center on my system. Upgraded to Windows 10 Pro (lost Media Center, of course). I just bought a 500GB SSD to replace my 240GB one. I used the media creation tool to make a USB install for Win10 Pro. I swapped the SSD without changing any hardware. Same motherboard, CPU, RAM modules, keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. Figured something in the EFI would also help it identify / activate as the same system.

...but no.

It prompted me twice during install for a product key, which I skipped. Attempting to activate tells me I need to enter a different product key.

So do I have to reconnect my old SSD and boot, then copy down my product key? I thought I didn't have to do any of that stuff with Windows 10.

[edit] 2015-10-21

I did the whole "reset PC" / "remove everything" option on the old 240GB drive. After booting, verified it was "activated."

Swapped to the 500GB drive and reinstalled. Immediately after booting, I saw it was already activated.

My expectations that I wouldn't have to go through a bunch of BS were wrong. At least it's working now.

 

[bbhaag]

Give it time. To the best of my knowledge you don't need to enter a key when you upgrade to 10. Microsoft will collect your hardware specs then log it and then activate your install.

EDIT:Just to clarify was the Win10 upgrade successful on the 240 drive? It activate ok correct?

 

[Ichinisan]

Give it time. To the best of my knowledge you don't need to enter a key when you upgrade to 10. Microsoft will collect your hardware specs then log it and then activate your install.

EDIT:Just to clarify was the Win10 upgrade successful on the 240 drive? It activate ok correct?

Yeah. I had a different computer a long time ago with Windows 7. Paid to get Win8.0 upgrade, then immediately paid to get Pro+Media Center upgrade. When I built a new system with the 240GB SSD, there was some command line trick I learned about on this forum that allowed me to do a clean 8.1 install. No need to install Win7 --> Win8.0 --> Win 8.0 Pro+MC upgrade --> Win8.1 -- just go directly to 8.1 instead. I did that and it activated Win8.1 just fine. Then the Windows 10 free upgrade came out a year later and the upgrade went smoothly.

After I posted this thread, I put the 240GB drive back in and booted. In System Properties, it shows "activated." I ran Magical Jellybean Keyfinder and copied that key. Put the 500GB drive back in. "Change product key" said there's a problem with the key I entered and it still won't activate. I'll try to get some detailed screenshots tomorrow. I already shut the system down for the night.

Now, I can't even tell what Win7 key I originally used. I think it was one my brother sent me after he attended a Microsoft event and got a couple free copies. For the life of me, I can't find where he sent it to me.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I tried magic jelly bean earlier this year and it provided the wrong key for my windows install. Fortunately I already knew the correct key but tried it just to see and it didn't get it right. Windows 10 uses a generic installation key and all of my 10 pro systems have the very same key. They had to be activated via the upgrade in place first then I was able to do a clean install without using a key and skipped the stages where the key was asked for.

 

[MadScientist]

Just switching hard drives should have activated Win 10 without having to enter a key but... http://www.howtogeek.com/226510/how-to-use-your-free-windows-10-license-after-changing-your-pc%E2%80%99s-hardware/

Changing your hard drive might have been enough of a hardware change to keep Windows 10 from activating. You may have to give Microsoft a call to activate.

I tried magic jelly bean earlier this year and it provided the wrong key for my windows install. Fortunately I already knew the correct key but tried it just to see and it didn't get it right. Windows 10 uses a generic installation key and all of my 10 pro systems have the very same key. They had to be activated via the upgrade in place first then I was able to do a clean install without using a key and skipped the stages where the key was asked for.

Correct. The generic Windows 10 keys will not work with a clean install on a new build, or on a build where you changed enough hardware that Microsoft sees it as a new build. http://www.ghacks.net/2015/07/29/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-10/

 

[JackMDS]

This would provide the Win 10 key (if there is one) - http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

 

[Anteaus]

Do not enter a key either of the two times it asks. As long as you have internet, it should automatically activate at some point after booting. This assumes you successfully upgraded prior to the clean install.

 

[Dahak]

The other thing I read, it may not activate immediately after install. I had recently done an upgrade for a friend of my mothers and it was 8.1, i had to send the laptop in for repair and they wiped it and put 8.1 back on it. So I did a fresh format with win10 and it did not activate right away (after skipping the keys twice) but was activated the next morning when i looked at it.

So for me it was
8.1 Upgraded to 10.
Send for repair, they restored to 8.1
I got it back, wiped 8.1, install 10
10 not activated right away
did other stuff, programs etc.
Checked next morning and was activated

 

[Ichinisan]

Do not enter a key either of the two times it asks. As long as you have internet, it should automatically activate at some point after booting. This assumes you successfully upgraded prior to the clean install.

Did exactly that. It failed.

 

[MadScientist]

Call Microsoft.

 

[Ichinisan]

I did the online chat with Microsoft and they said I'll need to go all the way back to Windows 7 and repeat the upgrade process.

• Windows 7
• Upgrade to Windows 8.0
• Upgrade to Pro + Media Center
• Update to 8.1
• Upgrade to Windows 10

I don't even know what Windows 7 key I had originally.


Get this: I used the media creation tool and specifically selected 64-bit, but ended-up with a 32-bit install

This blows my mind. I absolutely selected 64-bit (x64). Anyway, maybe that has something to do with it. I'm preparing the USB drive again...

 

[Ichinisan]

The other thing I read, it may not activate immediately after install. I had recently done an upgrade for a friend of my mothers and it was 8.1, i had to send the laptop in for repair and they wiped it and put 8.1 back on it. So I did a fresh format with win10 and it did not activate right away (after skipping the keys twice) but was activated the next morning when i looked at it.

So for me it was
8.1 Upgraded to 10.
Send for repair, they restored to 8.1
I got it back, wiped 8.1, install 10
10 not activated right away
did other stuff, programs etc.
Checked next morning and was activated

Even if it didn't activate right away, I expect it would have activated if you went to System Properties and clicked "Activate now." When I do that, it fails.

 

[Elixer]

I did the online chat with Microsoft and they said I'll need to go all the way back to Windows 7 and repeat the upgrade process.

• Windows 7
• Upgrade to Windows 8.0
• Upgrade to Pro + Media Center
• Update to 8.1
• Upgrade to Windows 10

I don't even know what Windows 7 key I had originally.


Get this: I used the media creation tool and specifically selected 64-bit, but ended-up with a 32-bit install

This blows my mind. I absolutely selected 64-bit (x64). Anyway, maybe that has something to do with it. I'm preparing the USB drive again...

Just wait for the win 10 update that should be here before the end of the year (Rumor has it, sometime in Nov.), then you can just use your win 7 key and be done with this idiotic mess they created.

 

[MadScientist]

You can upgrade from Windows 7 directly to Windows 10. I went from Windows 7 Ultimate and then upgraded to Windows 10 Pro on a new build. Yeah, it's a PITA but it works.

 

[WilliamM2]

Get this: I used the media creation tool and specifically selected 64-bit, but ended-up with a 32-bit install

This blows my mind. I absolutely selected 64-bit (x64). Anyway, maybe that has something to do with it. I'm preparing the USB drive again...

I had the same issue. Even when you select the 64 bit button, on the next page it defaults to 32 bit again. You have to select it again where you choose the language and whether it's home or pro.

 

[Magic Carpet]

It prompted me twice during install for a product key, which I skipped. Attempting to activate tells me I need to enter a different product key.

So do I have to reconnect my old SSD and boot, then copy down my product key? I thought I didn't have to do any of that stuff with Windows 10.

I was in a similar situation, well I went back to the old hard drive, used it for a while, then put a new one, and after a while, it was activated. I suspect, the activation servers were busy or figuring out what I was up to. Just kept using the box until it was activated. No drama.

P.S. Also, it doesn't matter if you do x86 > x64 upgrade or x64 > x86 (clean install). I tried all the options.

 

[Ichinisan]

P.S. Also, it doesn't matter if you do x86 > x64 upgrade or x64 > x86. I tried all the options.

...except that I have 16GB RAM.

I do know Windows didn't previously care if you used a product key with a 64-bit or 32-bit install. Without a product key, though, I have no idea if that's related to the activation failure.

 

[Magic Carpet]

...except that I have 16GB RAM.

I was just saying, nobody should be using x86 with more than 3GB RAM anyway.

I do know Windows didn't previously care if you used a product key with a 64-bit or 32-bit install. Without a product key, though, I have no idea if that's related to the activation failure.

Nothing has changed since, except the way Microsoft handles the activation process. I suspect, the activation servers got confused or something. See if you could boot with your old drive and whether if it's still activated. A simple hard-drive change should not trigger re-activation. I've done it several times now.

At any case, the upcoming "Threshold 2" build will allow you to use your Windows 7/8.0/8.1 key during clean installation process. The final build is coming soon, might want to wait for that.

 

[JackMDS]

This post is Not directed toward the OP but it is General in nature.

The whole Key reinstall system is a Big mess (especially for enthusiast).

At the moment many Poole lose their activation and some (especially the one that have OEM installation with no recovery or media) end up losing Win 7 all together unless they get.buy the right Win 7 old media.

There is signs that within the next few Week (Threshold release) some aspects of the Activation will be more like it use to be.

That said Drama Queening will nor solve the problem.

1. Before doing anything make an Image of the current functional Win 7 and store it on an external Drive.

Free Example - http://www.howtogeek.com/223139/how-to-create-an-image-of-your-pc-before-upgrading-to-windows-10/

Or (better/faster but not free - http://www.tomshardware.com/news/backup-restore-windows-acronis-true-image,24554.html

2. Upgrading to Win 10 from the OS perceptive is actually very close to Clean install even if it done as an In- place install.

The whole Windows folder gets replace with a new one.

So clean up the Win 7 Install from 3rd party problematic stuff (especially get rid of 3rd party Apps like Firewall, Anti Virus, and other that integrate with the OS).

Then do the Upgrade Activate and wait with rest of the "Genius Enthusiasts" tweaking until the "Storm" goes away in the near future and the Activation process is more reasonable.

 

[Magic Carpet]

1. Before doing anything make an Image of the current functional Win 7 and store it on an external Drive.

Yeah, backup is essential in this business. What I like doing, is copying the whole system drive to another physical drive and then doing all sort of experiments. Here's one good tool.

 

[Ichinisan]

See if you could boot with your old drive and whether if it's still activated. A simple hard-drive change should not trigger re-activation. I've done it several times now.

While experimenting, I have swapped back-and-forth many times now. The old install definitely reports itself as "activated."

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I removed my brother's video card before I did the Win10 upgrade. If I did it after, that might have contributed to this problem.

At any case, the upcoming "Threshold 2" build will allow you to use your Windows 7/8.0/8.1 key during clean installation process. The final build is coming soon, might want to wait for that.

Cool. I'll try that.

 

[Ichinisan]

I did the whole "reset PC" / "remove everything" option on the old 240GB drive. After booting, verified it was "activated."

Swapped to the 500GB drive and reinstalled. Immediately after booting, I saw it was already activated.

My expectations that I wouldn't have to go through a bunch of BS were wrong. At least it's working now.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Glad, it's working for you now. Thanks for letting know.

 

[Mushkins]

I tried magic jelly bean earlier this year and it provided the wrong key for my windows install. Fortunately I already knew the correct key but tried it just to see and it didn't get it right. Windows 10 uses a generic installation key and all of my 10 pro systems have the very same key. They had to be activated via the upgrade in place first then I was able to do a clean install without using a key and skipped the stages where the key was asked for.

To clarify, the *upgrade* uses a generic key then pairs your old Win7/Win8 key by matching to the hardware profile on the back-end. Any other type of Win10 install (Volume license, retail, purchased OEM, etc) does *not* just use a generic key.

 

[Renob]

I also did a clean install on to a new SSD and passed on putting in a key and now when I try it does not accept called MS said I needed to go back to win 7 and do upgrade well F that its been 3 months and I still running my OS that is not activated lol