[SOLVED] Windows won't activate

[ratman74]

Hello everyone,

I'm having an issue with activating windows on my work computer and our IT department can't figure this out. So I've decided to reach out to the people who actually understand things like this.

So, I currently don't have Windows 10 active on my computer, but I have a product key. The problem is when I put in the product key to activate, it sits on that screen loading, it went for 26 straight hours on the last attempt. Same thing happens when I try to troubleshoot for an issue. It does not give any error codes or reasons why it's not working. My IT department tried the same thing I did and they told me they don't know what's going on.

Has anyone had this issue? I can provide any information you may need.

Thanks in advance!

Computer is a Lenovo AIO 520-24ARR

 

[USAFRet]

Where did the OS install come from?
Where did the license key come from?

 

[ratman74]

Where did the OS install come from?
Where did the license key come from?

My IT had me buy from here. https://digitalproductkey.com/

 

[USAFRet]

My IT had me buy from here. https://digitalproductkey.com/

"Buy Windows Cheap"

I think we've identified the problem...

This is licensed software. There is no "cheap", unless your company enters into a Volume Licensing agreement with MS.
It costs what it costs. Generally around $100USD.
And if your IT dept recommended THAT? Multiple people need to be fired.
Seriously.

The only "fix" for this is to buy an actual valid license key. Preferably, direct from Microsoft.

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[johnbl]

the ip address resolves to
h2669794.stratoserver.net [81.169.238.23]
rented server space out of germany
(they just rent the sites to ??? people)
( spamming, scam, phishing, exploits)




generally if they have you run a program, the program will block access to microsoft license servers so they can fake the license until your money clears.
If they don't block then microsoft will ban a key after a bunch of people try to activate with it.

sometimes you can start cmd.exe as an admin then run
dism.exe /online /clean-image /restorehealth
and it will repair files that were modified, then your license can be checked and then fails to activate if the key is bogus/ invalid for some reason.

 

[popatim]

Which version of Windows 10 did you install?
There were service stack updates that would do this since they aren't up to date.
I think the newest version of Win10 is 2009. Anyways you can always download the latest version right from Microsoft for free at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and using the link in the Create Windows 10 installation media.. Did I mention its Free? You don't even need to put in a valid key!

 

[uzujzh]

Which version of Windows 10 did you install?
There were service stack updates that would do this since they aren't up to date.
I think the newest version of Win10 is 2009. Anyways you can always download the latest version right from Microsoft for free at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and using the link in the Create Windows 10 installation media.. Did I mention its Free? You don't even need to put in a valid key!

Yes but even if you do that it will still ask you for a product key but you can click skip but then after installing it, the fresh windows 10 install will outright blast you to activate windows and it is going to show the annoying activate windows watermark.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes but even if you do that it will still ask you for a product key but you can click skip but then after installing it, the fresh windows 10 install will outright blast you to activate windows and it is going to show the annoying activate windows watermark.

Of course it is going to show you that watermark. Live with it, or purchase a valid license.

 

[popatim]

Yes but even if you do that it will still ask you for a product key but you can click skip but then after installing it, the fresh windows 10 install will outright blast you to activate windows and it is going to show the annoying activate windows watermark.

you said you have a product key...
Time to find out if it's any good.