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activate my windows 10

I bought a Compaq on black Friday at walmart and there was no product number for windows 10. I looked all over the box and packaging again. I did not miss anything. Help please

 

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Windows 10 hasn't been released yet (it's up to version 8). Your key should be on the bottom if it's a laptop, and usually on the side towards the rear on a desktop. It will be on the Certificate of Authenticity sticker. If the Compaq came with a system disk, it may be on that envelope, or inside the cover of the manual (if it has one).

 SC Tom

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With Windows 8, Microsoft has changed from stickers that have the product key that the user has to type in when installing the operating system to new BIOS embedded product keys. The idea is that by eliminating the sticker, you eliminate one of the easier ways for nefarious users to get a legitimate product key. Eliminating the product key sticker also removes any worry that the sticker might get damaged while at the same time eliminating the long and irritating process of typing in various letters and numbers when installing the operating system.

If the user has to reinstall the operating system on a machine that came with Windows 8, the installation process automatically grabs the software product key from the motherboard BIOS with no input from the user. This means that those familiar Windows product key stickers will no longer appear on the Windows 8 computers.
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My Win10 Tech Preview has been asking for activation since day 1 (a week ago).  I have this weird little watermark in the bottom-right corner (not like the old ones on the desktop, this watermark is above all windows but I can interact with the Window behind it) 

The main problem is, I can't customize certain settnigs without activating it.  Prior to the upgrade I was using a full retail (non-OEM) Win 8.1 Pro that was activated, then did an in-place upgrade to 10.  Shouldn't my machine still be activated?

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Ok I feel stupid - just realized this was from years ago.  Not sure why this guy's calling it Win10

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Ok I feel stupid - just realized this was from years ago.  Not sure why this guy's calling it Win10

You'll be better off posting in the special Windows 10 preview forum on here.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_tp?sort=lastreplydate&dir=desc&tab=Threads&status=&mod=&modAge=&advFil=&postedAfter=&postedBefore=&threadType=All&tm=1412774622973 

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I contacted Microsoft about this activation problem on a Win7 computer upgraded to Win10 and they said they where aware of this issue and where working on correcting it. When they get it resolved, they will send you an upgrade to correct it, so just give it time !

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Hi Andre, I have purchased windows 8 when it was launched. I don't know why I can't upgrade to windows 10, the upgrade is always crashing. I installed W10 using ISO files from Microsoft but I can't activate it because I don't have a valid key. Will Microsoft provide any way to deliver a W10 key to those who have previous and genuine products? Again, I ask this because for no reason my updates always crashes...

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If the Windows 10 upgrade was free why does it need to be activated? I bought Windows 8.1 and during install it offered the free upgrade. Once installed I realized I needed to update my computer. I put in a new motherboard, larger hard disk and video card. I tried to transfer the Windows 10 install and it failed even though I had the image I couldn't make that drive drive C:. So I reinstalled Windows 8.1 and again was offered the free upgrade which I installed, this time it has the Activate Windows message, I tried using my Windows 8.1 license again and it would not take it. I called the number in the error box and was transferred to a phone that was never answered and then the call dropped for too many rings.

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Is this retail Windows 8?  If so then you can move it to any other hardware you please, and again Upgrade to Windows 10 as you've done. 

Failure to activate may mean the Windows 8 key needs to be freed up from the previous Upgrade. 

To do this Right click Start button to open Admin Command Prompt

Type slui 4, press Enter.

Follow prompts to refresh your activation ID in MS Servers. 

If it fails stay on the line for an agent, explain the situation.

Report back results for other steps if necessary.   

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Is this retail Windows 8?  If so then you can move it to any other hardware you please, and again Upgrade to Windows 10 as you've done. 

Failure to activate may mean the Windows 8 key needs to be freed up from the previous Upgrade. 

To do this Right click Start button to open Admin Command Prompt

Type slui 4, press Enter.

Follow prompts to refresh your activation ID in MS Servers. 

If it fails stay on the line for an agent, explain the situation.

Report back results for other steps if necessary.   

my windows does not active

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Last updated June 14, 2020 Views 14,827 Applies to: