Windows 10 activation problem

[Gessler]

I've been using Windows 10 Insider Preview for a couple months. It's completely broken & glitched out on me, the Start menu isn't showing, internet has problems (not my connection is not bad) and the whole system slows down like hell. Running it on an Acer Aspire V laptop.

 

So here's the problem, I've been trying to upgrade to the proper Windows 10 (complete OS) but for some reason the Win10 upgrade notification never showed up at all. I tried contacting some online help but people kept saying it should up sooner or later so I kept with it. Now the Win10 Insider Preview has expired. It's asking me to upgrade to the latest build of Windows, if I do, it's downloading Windows 10, creating Win10 media etc. but then it asks me for a Product Key.

 

It knows I did not purchase the Win10 specifically so how can I have the product key - isn't it supposed to be free for anyone using Win7/8/8.1? My laptop came with Win 8.1 out of the box....but sadly I do not have the recovery files for that OS on my system anymore so I cannot even go back to it.

 

What am I supposed to do now? Is there no other way than actually buying a new copy of Windows 10?

 

EDIT : My system (with the pre-installed Win8.1) was purchased in the US but it was only after I got to India (where I am now) that I created my Microsoft Account

and then did everything. Do you guys think this may be reason for some of my problems? Some regional settings or something?

[AnonKraken]

Download the "Media Creation tool". Gives you the option to do a clean install (reformatting) or "upgrade"(only changes OS).

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

http://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10
 

[OSBK]

well you must be on an activated windows 7/8/8.1 and get it's lastest updates the you'll have the ability to upgrade into windows 10. and when you use a burned iso (dvd) or a usb stick you must choose the upgrade option not the new install option so you can get it free

[Gessler]

well you must be on an activated windows 7/8/8.1 and get it's lastest updates the you'll have the ability to upgrade into windows 10. and when you use a burned iso (dvd) or a usb stick you must choose the upgrade option not the new install option so you can get it free

 

I was on an activated 8.1, it came with the laptop and all updates were automatic, I also kept checking back from time to time. That's how I got the option to install the Win10 Insider preview. And I've not changed the update settings since then (I've checked, my system is up to date).

 

However there is one catch I forgot to mention in the OP, please check the updated one.

[OSBK]

if you update from windows 8.1 to windows 10 preview throw windows update you should have in windows 10 setting the abitity to go back to windows 8.1 if you didn't delete the old windows files. after that check for windows updates again you should be able to upgrade to windows 10 once again but the full version this time.
 

[Gessler]

if you update from windows 8.1 to windows 10 preview throw windows update you should have in windows 10 setting the abitity to go back to windows 8.1 if you didn't delete the old windows files. after that check for windows updates again you should be able to upgrade to windows 10 once again but the full version this time.

 

 

As I already said in the OP, I do not have the 8.1 recovery files anymore.

 

So you're saying unless I have a previous genuine version of Windows (7/8/8.1), there is no way I can upgrade to proper Windows 10?

 

I suppose updating to the Win10 Insider preview from 8.1 doesn't count?

[Gala]

As I already said in the OP, I do not have the 8.1 recovery files anymore.

 

So you're saying unless I have a previous genuine version of Windows (7/8/8.1), there is no way I can upgrade to proper Windows 10?

 

I suppose updating to the Win10 Insider preview from 8.1 doesn't count?

It would be smart to contact Microsoft. After all, you had a geninue copy of Windows.

Try to install Windows 8.1, maybe the UEFI can read OEM info and activate it automatically.