Unable to activate Windows 10

[DCS_Inc]

A client brought me an Envy dv7 laptop that had come originally with Windows 8.0. He reported that it had be updated to Windows 8.1 and then Windows 10. He wanted to transfer the machine to a relative, so did a factory restore back to 8.0. He brought it to me to return it to Windows 10. To save time, I did a clean install of Windows 10 and it reported activated. Now, a few days later it says it is NOT activated. After speaking with Microsoft, I was told I had to retrieve the original imbedded Windows 8.0 license key from the motherboard an input it as the license key to activate Windows 10. I don't have any idea how to retrieve that key and from the reading I've done, HP is not likely to be helpful on this. I've even tried Windows 8.0 and 8.1 OEM keys I have in stock, but they do not work.  I'm open for suggestions and/or assistance on this.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

This falls under Microsoft responsibility. HP might be able to help you activate Windows 8/8.1 which originally was installed on the PC. After it migrated to 10, it is using MS methods (so to say).

If the computer had previously Win 8/8.1 and was eventually upgraded to Windows 10, then it is activated using Digital Entitlement method, therefore no keys/codes are needed for activation.

If Windows 10 is later reinstalled, then it should activate fine without any codes as long as these conditions are met:

- the computer is the same

- the hardware is the same

- the correct Windows 10 edition was installed

If the computer originally had Windows 8.1 (e.g. Standard edition) but now you installed Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, then it will not work. Most probably this is the case. Based on the official documentation, this computer comes with variety of options and some are Windows 8 (standart/plain edition), the others come with 8.1 Pro.

Please, check which one was the edition originally installed, take Windows 10 from MS with the correct edition and reinstall it >> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Windows 10 should activate fine using Digital Entitlement >> https://support.microsoft.com/is-is/help/12440/windows-10-activation

Let me know how this goes.

[DCS_Inc · Accepted solution]

Ok, finally found a utility called RWEverything that will retrieve the embedded license key. Windows 10 still would not activate, so had to contact Microsoft again. With that key, they were able to verify and activate Windows 10 for my client.