Windows activation is giving me a headache...

[Dash Lambda]

I just upgraded my platform to R7 and was reminded, rudely, that Windows activation is tied to the motherboard.

I'm on Windows 10, 'upgraded' from a Windows 7 installation I've had for years -I believe before 2012. (Note: I mean the product authorization or whatever is that old, I've reinstalled Windows before of course.)

After a couple hours in chat with Microsoft support, across two agents and two remote-in sessions, I was given a chat link and told to come back when I found my old Windows disc (with the key) or the original receipt. I don't have those.

Anyone have any idea how to proceed? This is absolutely infuriating.

[JakeNTech]

1 minute ago, Dash Lambda said:

I just upgraded my platform to R7 and was reminded, rudely, that Windows activation is tied to the motherboard.

I'm on Windows 10, 'upgraded' from a Windows 7 installation I've had for years -I believe before 2012. (Note: I mean the product authorization or whatever is that old, I've reinstalled Windows before of course.)

After a couple hours in chat with Microsoft support, across two agents and two remote-in sessions, I was given a chat link and told to come back when I found my old Windows disc (with the key) or the original receipt. I don't have those.

Anyone have any idea how to proceed? This is absolutely infuriating.

Find the windows 7 key and enter that into windows activation, as when you upgraded that key was marked for windows 10, if you can't find it spend $20 on a key from kinguin or eBay

[kelvinhall05]

Go into System Information and find your product key (or somewhere else, can't remember exactly where it is) and write it down so you don't forget it. Then reinstall Windows and use that key.

 

 

Am I understanding your issue correctly?

[SatanExe]

Is it on the side of the PC with a little Windows sticker? If not, you can get windows keys pretty cheap as said before me. If the thought of that annoys you, morally I'd say you can use the "other" method.

[kalnick]

2 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Go into System Information and find your product key (or somewhere else, can't remember exactly where it is) and write it down so you don't forget it. Then reinstall Windows and use that key.

 

 

Am I understanding your issue correctly?

This information is not listed in System Info or anywhere else. With XP you use to be able to find the key you used by searching the registry but not so with Windows 7.

If your computer came with Windows 7 them its OEM and you can't move it to your new computer. You need to buy a new key

If you bought a retail copy then you need find your key that was included with the retail package. If you can't find it buy a new key

You can get them from reliable sites for less then $20 usd

[zMeul]

if the original licence was OEM, you can toss it out of the window and get a new licence

and this time get a FPP licence - FPP licences are transferable