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- Re-installed windows 10 can't be activated

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02-01-2024 07:39 AM
Hi there, I recently re-installed windows 10 on one of our lab computer, HP Z230 tower workstation, because I can't login after a colleague left. However, I just found that windows 10 can't be activated. As I found from searching that windows operating system should be activated automatically. It seems the OEM key and product key doesn't work. What is the problem?
Thanks.
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Accepted Solutions
02-01-2024 09:48 AM
Hi, @HLIC30
If you installed the correct version of W10 (Home or Pro) that the W8.1 product key was good for, and you selected the 'I don't have a product key' option when you got to the part of the installation process that asked for the key, and Windows did not activate after you were connected to the internet, the PC had never been upgraded to W10 previously.
You are correct about Microsoft closing the loophole for the free W10 upgrade beyond the July 2016 end date.
They closed the loophole in October of 2023.
You will either need to purchase a W10 product key or install W8.1 which is out of support.
02-01-2024 08:08 AM
The way this post is worded would make me think this is a business environment, is that correct? Also, if that is the case, is this also a Windows Enterprise software or regular run of Windows 10 Home?
If normal user Windows 10, that is supposed to activate while on the internet and it registers on the Microsoft servers.
One other thing, is this from a clean install of Windows 10 or an upgrade from Windows 8 or Windows 7?
That system is old enough to maybe have had Windows 7 or Windows 8 from the factory.
Either way, if this PC had normal (retail) Windows 10 installed and on the internet, it should have registered with the Microsoft servers and made a digital license for Windows 10. Then any reinstall should activate when connected to the internet again.
If all or any of these scenarios are true, please explain with some more details.
I do not know how Microsoft handles activation problems now, but it used to be if you either chatted or actually talked with support, the activation could be worked out. Last time I did that was with Windows 7, though.
I'm not an HP employee.
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02-01-2024 08:48 AM
Hi there, thanks very much for your reply. You are definitely an expert. Yes, the computer is pretty old and we haven't used it since lockdown. I don't know much of the history, and I suppose we used it with OEM version of windows in the Lab rather than our company version. I replaced hard disk with SSD to make it run faster recently and reinstalled windows 10.
With a careful check after reading your post, I found that the original version is windows 8.1 on the sticker of the computer. Probably me previous colleague never upgraded it to windows 10, which I can't find out.
I noticed Microsoft has closed the free upgrading to windows 10 from last year, probably that is the reason. I am not sure if I can still activate it or need a new license. Thanks.
02-01-2024 09:48 AM
Hi, @HLIC30
If you installed the correct version of W10 (Home or Pro) that the W8.1 product key was good for, and you selected the 'I don't have a product key' option when you got to the part of the installation process that asked for the key, and Windows did not activate after you were connected to the internet, the PC had never been upgraded to W10 previously.
You are correct about Microsoft closing the loophole for the free W10 upgrade beyond the July 2016 end date.
They closed the loophole in October of 2023.
You will either need to purchase a W10 product key or install W8.1 which is out of support.
02-01-2024 10:36 AM
if your system was licensed for windows, then visit the HP "cloud recovery" website and download the win 10 restore image that contains all necessary drivers (do not get the one that is just win 10 without drivers)
last, not all z230 systems are windows licensed, some were sold without this license for use with linux
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_4511095-4511141-16