Is there a way to find out which key was used for activation?
I have done testing with insider programs. I also tested this with my windows 7 oem install, I rolled the oem back to windows 7. I also used a windows 7 retail version to also upgrade to windows 10. This way I can keep my multiple boot setup. I just want to be legit that is all.
Background: We have purchased 14 HP EliteBook 820 laptops (which come with Windows 8.1 downgraded to Win 7 preinstalled) to rollout within our company and my usual method for laptop rollouts is to setup one with our corporate apps etc, run SysPrep and then clone the hard drive to the rest of the laptops.
This has worked fine in the past with Windows XP and 7 but with the introduction of the free upgrade to Windows 10 which we want to take advantage of it has produced a problem.
Problem: I have setup one laptop and gone through the free upgrade to Windows 10 then installed our required apps etc, run SysPrep, shutdown and cloned the hard drive to another hard drive to go into the next laptop (same model) to rollout.
Windows is then unable to activate giving error code 0xC004C003 meaning the key is blocked.
Because the laptops have OEM Windows licences pre-installed this means that I don't have a product key sticker; it is embedded in the BIOS.
I am assuming that at the point of upgrade the Microsoft servers check the key and add it to their list of 'OK' keys to allow the upgrade.
When the cloned hard drive is placed into another laptop the key embedded into the BIOS is not OK and Windows does not activate? I've tried the slui program to remove the licence but that just removes the key and asks for a new one. I have also tried doing the clone of a clean install after upgrading. I have tried speaking to HP and Microsoft but each one said speak to the other.
Currently my only option is to setup one laptop with the OEM Win 7 or 8.1, install our Apps, do the SysPrep and cloning and then upgrade each one individually at the end of the OOBE experience. This will be more time consuming when rolling out and rebuilding.
I have never had problems activating genuine copies of Windows. Changing cpu's, hdd's ram and graphics cards have never bothered Microsoft. Back in the XP days, I also changed motherboards with OEM software successfully. As far as I can tell, only changing the motherboard would cause problems with modern operating systems. I have changed hdd's for ssd's and vice versa and graphics cards with no problems on W10 upgrades. Today, I received a cpu from Ebay and fitted it into the pc which runs 8.1 and W10 upgrade from W7hp. BIOS recognised it at once, but both copies of Windows required a restart, system and device manager failed to recognise the cpu first time. Activation was not affected in either copy of Windows.
View 6 Replieslaptop has Win 10 that was an free upgrade from Windows 7. If I clone to SSD will activation remain? I know if hardware changes will be an issue. I will backup key just in case, not sure it is needed. later hopefully a fresh install.
I have used Easeus and Acronis in the past with Windows 7, always with bootable media to do the clone. first time cloning windows 10, was thinking about Macrium, just never tried it. Put the new SSD in place and boot to the HDD as external?
I used to have a program that checks activation/expiration of windows and/or Microsoft office with just one click. I think the name was "check activation" ...
View 2 RepliesA friend's Asus 8.1 laptop was stuck in an automatic repair loop so I suggested that he upgrade to Windows 10.
Because he was unable to access his system, I opted for a clean install and I created a bootable Win 10 usb on another pc. I used this usb to insall Win 10 on his machine, skipping any requests to activate.
I was under the impression that Win 10 would automatically activate on installation. I'm not sure he ever signed up for the free upgrade offer before Win 8 on his machine decided to implode.
I just upgraded my win 10 10240 to 1511 10565 but where is a listing of activation commands.
View 4 RepliesI don't know if the right place, but I'll share my problem. Last days I resized my C: drive in order to put Linux on my free space and dual boot. Since then my windows lost his activation, gave me eroor code 0xC004F012 and don't want to shut down - just log off.
View 2 RepliesI'm having a problem with the phone activation. I'm stuck at the security check dialogue, keeps saying "we cant verify you". Is it just me, or did MS kill phone activation?
View 1 RepliesI'm having this issue on a Store purchased Toshiba Satellite Pro which had Windows 7 Home Prem. I followed all the upgrade instructions and it all looks good except it's not activated. Product key blocked. Error code: 0xC004C003
View 9 RepliesI upgraded from 8.1 on Dell XPS 8700 and the download and installation completed flawlessly. I did a winver and it shows Windows 10 Build 10240.
However, it will not validate, showing the error : "The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. (Error code: 0x8007007B)"
I also ran software that returned the following information.
"Windows Product Key Information
Product Name: Windows 10 Home
Product ID: 00326-30000-00001-AA668
Installed Key: TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
OEM Key: *****-*****-*****-*****-HFQ2D
OEM Edition: Win 8.1 RTM Core OEM:DM
What am I missing? Or is it really a Windows Activation Server Issue? OS is great, everything works fine with it.
I had upgraded from W8.1 and Windows 10 was activated. I was under the impression that I didn't need a product key and that my PC would be recognized after doing a clean install. Now I have W10 installed fresh, but get the error code: Error code: 0xC004C003
View 9 RepliesI have minimal data per month, how do I find out how large the windows updates are? I have had windows 10 for four months and have run out of data allowance in three of those months, now I have another update about to happen and I cannot turn it off and I do need to turn off my laptop.
View 3 RepliesI know there are some tools out there that will show the key but I really need to know the version of the OS in the UEFI BIOS.
View 9 RepliesWindows 10 x64
As I have multiple retail license keys, I am unsure which one is in use right now.
There are 3rd party key finders that may show the key in use, but I prefer to obtain the key using Windows own tools, if possible. For instance using a CMD.(Am uncertain about these 'key finders': can they be trusted?)
Why the search doesn't find 'windows update' / 'check for updates' ? Other searches work , but this isn't , on my other pc's "check for updates" works . Posted pics with working 'add or remove' too .
View 3 RepliesSo, recently (after the November build release) I woke the next morning to find that my computer underwent a rather major update. After which, it seemed, my home network was thrown out of wack. I immediately rolled/reverted/recovered to previous build. But now everything is out of wack. Most of the time I have to restart my computer just so it'll communicate with my printer to start printing.
And restarting the computer is twice as long if it restarts at all. Most of the time It gets stuck in the "restart" progress animates (the rotating circles) and I have to press the restart button on the computer tower, with great regret and dread. Transferring files from one windows 10 device to another is a 50/50 hit or miss. I'm not literate when it comes to networking and was super happy how everything was.
But now, not only is my wifi home network out of wack, but my computer itself is wonky. I figure I might as well reinstall the newest build in hopes that it'll at least fix a fe of the problems. But anytime I check for updates, the newest build no longer shows up.
Windows 10 can't find my USB hub (F4U017). Device manager shows driver SXUPTP.SYS has a problem and has blocked it. I can't find an upgrade.
View 3 RepliesUpgraded from 8.1 Pro a day or two ago, however still receiving the 0xC004C003 Error code, stating that the activation server has specified the key as blocked.Will it automatically activate when the activation servers are no longer overwhelmed (if they still are, that is), or is there a way to refresh the activation attempt?
Also, my Microsoft account has another 27 days left before the security details fully change, could this be the reason why it is not activating?
Today I upraded from Win7 to Win10 via the Windows update thing in Win7. I wanted to check if everything ran fine, but i wanted to get a clean isntall. When i was done upgrading i checked my Key via Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder. I then formatted my C: drive and did a clean isntall via a USB stick. When I was done installing I tried to activate windows with the key i extracted and got the Error 0xC004C003. Is there any solution to this? Alternatively would my Windows 7 key still work?
View 1 RepliesAfter upgrading my OS to windows 10, its making headache with wifi. My Thinkpad T410 gets disconnecting frequently from the wifi network and does not reconnect automatically. Also not getting reconnected manually for a few minutes. After that reconnects.
Old OS was Windows 7 64 bit.
Wireless adapter is Intel Centrino Ultimate N 6300 AGN
This method will give IMO the best way of updating your system to W10 via an "Almost" clean install.
1) Re-install CLEAN your old legacy OS -- at boot delete all the Windows partitions so there's NOTHING on the HDD (or Windows "C" partition.
2) Ignore / skip the prompt for Windows 10 is available.
3) let the install finish together with any updates the system finds during the install. DO NOT INSTALL ANYTHING ELSE at this stage.
4) VERY IMPORTANT -- ACTIVATE WINDOWS via entering your product key (of the OLD OS). You might need to use control panel and enter Change product key if you are using say your old MSDN / TechNet keys.
5) now go into Windows update via control panel and you'll be offered the Windows 10 upgrade
you are now done and activated -- it's as good as a CLEAN install -- plus you'll have the odd driver working that W10 might not find.
If you want REALLY to do a clean install later then there are many ways via ISO etc to do it -- but your OLD OS must be activated first before any W10 upgrade if you want to have an activated product.
I updated to build 10525 from an activated pro build 10240 this morning.. and now it shows windows is not activated.. the error is "DNS name does not exist" ..
View 3 RepliesI had windows 7 installed, upgraded to windows 10, and then created a bootable USB with windows 10 on it. Built a new computer, used the USB to install windows 10 and tried using my code from windows 7 (I was told that it would be associated with my windows 10 account now), and it doesn't work. Should I try calling Microsoft to see if they will activate it for me or what should I do? I just dished out a lot of cash to build this new rig and was hoping I could get away with the free windows 10 since I owned windows 7 and was able to upgrade it and reserve my free upgrade.
View 1 RepliesI do not have the phone activation option button. Any website where I can obtain an installation id number [apparently six or so blocks of five/six figures]. I do have the phone number but am asked for this installation number before speaking to a real person.
View 1 RepliesI have a HP desktop with W-7 that the HD is failing. (Almost failed)
I can't do a clone or a system image.
I installed a new HD and booted from my latest USB Upgrade from the Windows Media Creation tool.
I skipped the activation as it installed.
Now when I use the original product key, it fails to activate.