Windows 10 not activated after a clean install - help!!

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by ady199, Jul 29, 2015.

  1. ady199

    ady199 MDL Senior Member

    Jul 22, 2009
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    Guys,

    I had a fully activated Windows 8.1 (retail key) installed on my laptop - I then upgraded it using Windows 10 1024 - Windows remained activated.

    I've now just done a clean install with Windows 10 and its now not activated.

    Why?

    I was told that it would activate by the hardware ID.........

    Can anyone please help.

    (I'm enrolled in the insider program)
     
  2. arfter

    arfter MDL Novice

    May 19, 2015
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    I think it's a server problem. I have the same issue. Please check your key it is your genuine key or generic key?
     
  3. ady199

    ady199 MDL Senior Member

    Jul 22, 2009
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    Genuine key
     
  4. ady199

    ady199 MDL Senior Member

    Jul 22, 2009
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    Would you believe it - I've just re-started my machine and its now showing as activated.......:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
     
  5. Yen

    Yen Admin
    Staff Member

    May 6, 2007
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    Yeh. Sometimes just a restart completes activation. Glad the issue resolved.
     
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  6. skryabin

    skryabin MDL Novice

    Aug 16, 2012
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    #6 skryabin, Jul 29, 2015
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2015
    what do you mean by genuine/generic key?

    I did my legit upgrade and maintained the activation, but I lost it after a reset, don't know why (server problems?)

    So I tried a clean install, skipped all the key request during the setup, and now seems I'm activated again...hopefully my ID registered in microsoft servers after the 8.1->10 update, otherwise the clean install wasn't supposed to activate, right?

    The slmgr /dli says retail win 10 pro with a product key that ends with 3V66T (genuine? generic?)
     
  7. EFA11

    EFA11 Avatar Guru

    Oct 7, 2010
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    that means upgrade was successful

    The 3V66T key is same key most all get. MS saves your previously upgraded activation details and uses them against your machine's hardware ID and knows to activate on a clean install. IF you change your motherboard, or possibly too many pieces of hardware you can lose activation. Hard drives can be changed with no troubles, that I've noticed. Motherboard is the biggest thing.

    MS activation server is getting hit hard, so I believe its not always responding. Usually waiting a while or a reboot is all that is needed to kick start the activation.