Windows Key problem

[noxunited]

Hi there,

I bought a retail version of Windows 8.1, installed on one HDD. So far nothing special.

I recently got a new larger HDD, so i did a clean install of windows 10 on it using the microsoft tool.

So I uninstalled the cd Key from the old HDD using slmgr /upk <Activation ID> in the command prompt, that worked.

but i tried installing my CD key on my fresh install and it said the key wasn't made for this version.

 

Does this mean i have do uninstall my windows 10, install windows 8.1 , activate, and then upgrade?

thanks

[mynameajeff]

They key you have is for Windows 8.1 not Windows 10  

 

So you have to re install 8.1, activate then install 10. Unfortunately 

[noxunited]

Oh god no.. Surely there's a way around this?

[GoodBytes]

Ok first you don't need to remove the product key. It is all automated for you.

As for activating Windows 10 with your Windows 7 key. Microsoft announced that they added this ability.

However, I never tested this. What you need to do, is skip the screen that asks you to enter your product key, and Windows 10 will go in trial mode (that is fine), and should finish the installation. Once in Windows 10, Update Windows 10 fully, restart, and NOW enter the Windows 7 key, and it should work. If it doesn't, have a look at different methods to do this, like for example via command line.

Running the command line: slmgr.vbs /ato as admin, should force an immediate activation once the product key is entered.

If it doesn't work, and you tried rebooting your system, and see if Windows 10 is now activated. If it doesn't, or you are stuck somewhere in the process, then you have no choice to format, install Windows 7, and then upgrade to 10.