[SOLVED] Software activation

[Springwood1]

On my laptop, have just moved from a licenced windows 7 home premium to Windows 10, Home. Did this by using the microsoft download tool to create the installation media. All went successfully. Upon logon, it shows the message 'activate windows - go to settings to activate windows' on the desktop. Am I to key in the product key associated with my windows 7 instal or just wait for microsoft to do the activation? Not sure..

 

[USAFRet]

On my laptop, have just moved from a licenced windows 7 home premium to Windows 10, Home. Did this by using the microsoft download tool to create the installation media. All went successfully. Upon logon, it shows the message 'activate windows - go to settings to activate windows' on the desktop. Am I to key in the product key associated with my windows 7 instal or just wait for microsoft to do the activation? Not sure..

You did a clean install of Win 10, or an in place upgrade from the existing Win 7?

If a clean install...yes, enter your Win 7 license key.

 

[Springwood1]

Windows 7 Home Premium was resident on the laptop. Using my pc, I used the microsoft create installation media to put the files onto a USB pen drive. This was then used to instal windows 10 home onto the laptop. Is that classed as a clean instal or upgrade instal??

 

[USAFRet]

Windows 7 Home Premium was resident on the laptop. Using my pc, I used the microsoft create installation media to put the files onto a USB pen drive. This was then used to instal windows 10 home onto the laptop. Is that classed as a clean instal or upgrade instal??

Depends on what selections you made during the process.

Upgrade or Custom.

 

[USAFRet]

A "Custom" would have had you delete all existing partitions, and continue with a blank drive.
Resulting in a bare OS.
This will need you to enter the license key from your WIn 7.


Upgrade would have just overwritten the Win 7 with the Win 10.
In this case, the activation servers will eventually catch up and Activate your install.

 

[Springwood1]

I'm fairly certain I chose custom. It recommended I back up data (which I did) and it said the win 7 system will be placed in a folder called windows.old It also show me the two partitions on the drive, the reserved sector and the main one. The main (larger sector) was highlighted so just clicked next

 

[USAFRet]

I'm fairly certain I chose custom. It recommended I back up data (which I did) and it said the win 7 system will be placed in a folder called windows.old It also show me the two partitions on the drive, the reserved sector and the main one. The main (larger sector) was highlighted so just clicked next

That was an Upgrade. Win 7 going into a space called Windows.old is normal.

It should activate itself. But you can apply your existing license key, and that will also work.

 

[Springwood1]

That's great, many thanks for your assistance. I'll give it a go!