Originally Win 7 Home Premium, have Product Key. 10 Pro was installed with Volume License Key.

[willyb1963]

This PC was given to me by a friend of my 2 stepsons after my other PC's power supply burned up - ashes and soot inside the case! When new retail, this PC had Windows 7 Home Premium OA installed. The sticker with the Product Key is still on the back and easily legible. I received it with Windows 10 Pro installed. The friend had done some work inside the case. I don't know what is original and what might have been replaced. I don't think it matters - everything original, including Windows 7, is long gone from it except the drivers.

A week or so ago, some really funky things started happening. I checked over and over for viruses and found none. I ran DISM and SFC and they told me there were important things missing - modules and such from critical Windows programs. I decided to just reinstall Windows 10 Pro. I was able to use a downloaded tool to extract the Product Key, as I couldn't find it anywhere.

I backed up what I wanted of my personal files. Using the Media Creation Tool, I made a Windows 10 Installation USB Flash Drive. I used it to perform a totally clean install, choosing to install Windows 10 Pro, as this is what I had been working with. To complete everything, I went to activate it. The Product Key wasn't accepted.

I went to a chat with Windows Help. The nice man discovered "my" Product Key is a Volume Licensing Key and I can't use it to activate my installation. He suggested coming here to see if there is any way to use the original Windows 7 key to accomplish anything. Do I really need to do anything with that, since I want Windows 10 Pro anyway?

It looks like I'm going to have to purchase a new Product Key for Windows 10 Pro for my use.

[banhien · Accepted solution]

@willyb1963

Machine came with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) pre-installed. Now you can ONLY order Recovery set from HP to go back to Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit). Its specs:

       https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/c01891498

Probably HP can't answer why you have Windows 10 volume license key. Please check from your stepson's friend to find out where is the source.

Please read the following instructions and order a set from HP

   https://support.hp.com/au-en/document/bph07143

Regards

[willyb1963]

Many thanks for your (speedy :smileysurprised:) reply!

I read the pages you sent me to. There is no question that this is the direction I have to go.

I went on to other pages linked from those pages as well, so I know from the start how to go about this. It won't be difficult, as it's all very straightforward.

What is going to hurt is buying Windows 10. I need to read through the differences between Home and Pro, though, to know which one I really need.

Thanks again! Have a Nice Day!