[SOLVED] Existing windows 10 installation on all new new hardware - windows won't activate

[Primal_Mojo]

I built new computers for myself and my fiancee about a week ago, basically moving our existing HDs with the OS into all new systems. Then I had to go out of town for 4 days, and when I got back it's still showing that our versions of Windows won't activate. Both copies were digitally regsitred to our Microsoft accounts, and were from when Windows 7 offered the free Windows 10 upgrade, so I don't have any physical copies or product keys.

Can anyone help?

 

[SkyNetRising]

You change motherboard, you reinstall windows.
After that log in with your microsoft account (license is registered to) and use windows activation troubleshooter to transfer license from old pc to new one (new motherboard means it is considered a new pc).

 

[jay32267]

I don't recommend swapping drives like that due to Windows having problems with the hardware change.....especially the motherboard.

I recommend a clean install.

 

[Primal_Mojo]

Is there any way to get a boot drive from my current computer now that I've already installed the HDs in the new machines? I don't want to have to pay another $200 for this...ugh.

 

[Primal_Mojo]

You change motherboard, you reinstall windows.
After that log in with your microsoft account (license is registered to) and use windows activation troubleshooter to transfer license from old pc to new one (new motherboard means it is considered a new pc).

I did try all of that, and the troubleshooter just laughs at me and won't activate windows, even after I click where it says "I have recently changed hardware on this machine" or whatever it says.

 

[Sohom]

maybe the license version u had was of an oem copy of windows which is hardware dependent; thats why u cant activate on the new machine; if it was a retail version, it wud may had been activated;

 

[Sohom]

Another way is to freshly install windows 10 by making a bootable usb using media creation tool https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows10 and login again... it may or may not work...

 

[SkyNetRising]

I did try all of that, and the troubleshooter just laughs at me and won't activate windows, even after I click where it says "I have recently changed hardware on this machine" or whatever it says.

Did you perform clean install?

 

[Rogue Leader]

Both copies were digitally regsitred to our Microsoft accounts, and were from when Windows 7 offered the free Windows 10 upgrade, so I don't have any physical copies or product keys.

Do you not have the original Windows 7 product Keys?

 

[Rogue Leader]

Ive used these guys in the past...and have not had any issues buying a Windows license. Downloaded the Win10 Pro ISO from Microsoft and did a clean install using the key I bought.

https://www.urcdkey.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-oem-cd-key-global_1966-20.html

This problem is solvable without using sketchy websites which may be selling illegitimate or stolen keys.

If he has his original Windows 7 keys they will work, I've done it, in the exact situation, multiple times.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Do you have some knowledge about URcdkey that they are sketchy ? I got the link off of another top hardware review site and urcdkey is recommended by that site.

I agree that the OP could likely just call Microsoft licensing support and resolve it...I've done it also.

Any site selling cheap keys for Windows is sketchy. There have been a bunch of articles about a year or so ago looking into all of those sites and found that most of these keys are stolen or otherwise nefariously obtained, or being sold against the sellers original agreement with Microsoft for their obtainment. Then periodically Microsoft disables anything thats not legit. It happened to a Moderator here, and we see it get posted about in the forum from time to time.

Long story short, its the same as pirating it, except you're paying money for it. Lets not derail his thread though, if you'd like to discuss feel free to message me privately.

 

[Colif]

if you have your win 7 key that you converted into a win 10 key, your best bet if the activation process does not work right now is ring Microsoft and explain what you are doing and if you don't get an idiot low lvl who doesn't know you can move licences now, they should be able to fix it their end. Simply having the email address you registered with might be enough.

There are licenses you cannot move, those belong to Big OEM like Dell and are pre installed Win 10 licences. Those only work on PC they came on. Most other oem licences should allow a move.