Win 10 installation didn't ask for cd-key

[anschluss11]

While installing win 10 for the first time on a new build, it never stopped to ask me for the activation key. It just run through the installation, finished, and booted windows.

When I go to settings and want to see whether windows have been activated (or try to find a place where I could put in the key), it just keeps loading.

Anyone experienced something similar?
I tried reinstalling it but same thing happened.

Also, same thing happened with Microsoft office. Installed it, no key asked, everything seems to be working.

I got the software from a friend who's in IT and burned me the Windows they have in the firm.

Is there a way to activate it "post-installation"?

 

[Paul NZ]

It's probably cracked or volume versions. Look under settings / update / activation. Or under system

 

[The Paladin]

if you have registered in the past and are using a Microsoft mail account your pc is registered under that mail account and it will not ask you for it.
if the copy he gave you was an IT OEM install disk it will not ask you for a key either, what you can look , open an windows explorer window. top menu select computer then System properties look at windows activations and see if it is.

 

[bignastyid]

The copy your friend gave you is either pirated or a VL copy, either way you need to reinstall with the appropriate media. It can be downloaded from Microsoft for free and you can use the mediacreation tool to create a bootable dvd or flash drive.

 

[Rocky Bennett]

if you have registered in the past and are using a Microsoft mail account your pc is registered under that mail account and it will not ask you for it.
if the copy he gave you was an IT OEM install disk it will not ask you for a key either, what you can look , open an windows explorer window. top menu select computer then System properties look at windows activations and see if it is.

That is not true. My computer has been activated with Windows 10 for over 2 years, but everytime I do a clean install it still comes to a screen where it asks for a product code. At the bottom of the screen it gives you the option to skip that step, but the screen will ALWAYS come up on a legitimate version of Windows 10.

 

[Colif]

i would say they volume copies as you say

I got the software from a friend who's in IT and burned me the Windows they have in the firm.

If they bought the licences in bulk, the installer may have the licence key pre filled in.

To see if you are actually activated now, go to settings/update & security/activation and it should tell you here. If the activation menu doesn't exist, you need to run windows update and get the latest version.

 

[anschluss11]

i would say they volume copies as you say

I got the software from a friend who's in IT and burned me the Windows they have in the firm.

If they bought the licences in bulk, the installer may have the licence key pre filled in.

To see if you are actually activated now, go to settings/update & security/activation and it should tell you here. If the activation menu doesn't exist, you need to run windows update and get the latest version.

I went to the settings menu and tried to activate it. I put in the key and then it said I need to be connected to the company network in order to activate Windows.

 

[Paul NZ]

Sounds like a volume / KMS version then

 

[Colif]

Probably need to download the Windows 10 media creation tool and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB and fresh install and it will ask for your licence and not require a company network to activate.

Handy guide to clean install win 10: http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html