Windows 10 Activation

[Newts350]

I purchased a Spectre Pro x360 through my son's school. He has since left school and we have reset the computer to Factory settings., Now it will not let me activate Windows 10 as it is not connected to the school network. I have contacted the school and they can not help me. They won't/can't give me a Product Key. Microsoft told me to contact HP or pay $235 for a new version of Windows. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @Newts350

Welcome to the HP Support forum.

That's tough - people get trained for months about the Microsoft licensing options. I will try to explain.

Microsoft offers tons of different licenses and license terms, and continually tunes the technical enforcement (activation etc.) of those terms. So you should probably ask your school about this

Your computer comes with OEM version of Windows 7 or 8.1 preinstalled by HP - it does not come with Windows 10. Therefore, it is not HP resposibility to provide you with a key for Windows 10. Additionally, you mentioned that you purchased it from the school.

Windows 7 keys are on a sticker called COA sticker or certificate of authenticity attached to the bottom of the PC

Windows 8 keys are bundled into the PC BIOS

• What is the different between OEM version of Windows or Retail version >> https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/feature/windows/windows-10-oem-or-retail-3665849/

The resolution will depend ...

• It depends on what kind of license they gave you and what was the Windows 10 version - was it Windows 10 Pro, Education or Enterprise - most likely it was one of them.
• It also depends on what Windows 10 you installed now (OEM version, Retail version or VL (volume licensing) version

Based on the description, it is not an OEM version 🙂

• Do you want to use the original Windows version - 7 or 8.1 ?
• Was this Windows part of the DreamSpark program ?
• How much did you pay to this school for the Windows ?

1. TERMS FOR DREAMSPARK DIRECT SUBSCRIPTION.

   a. DreamSpark Direct Subscription. Subject to the terms of this agreement, the DreamSpark Direct Subscription provides a subscription to access software. Microsoft may change the software or other offerings that it makes available under the DreamSpark Direct Subscription at any time without prior notice to you.

   b. End of Student Status. The DreamSpark Direct Subscription is a special offering for students. Once you no longer qualify for the DreamSpark Direct Subscription (due to graduation or otherwise no longer meeting the definition of "you" above), your DreamSpark Direct Subscription will terminate; however, you may continue to use the software you obtained prior to termination of your student status subject to the terms of this agreement.

   c. Termination. Microsoft may terminate the entire DreamSpark program or your specific DreamSpark Direct Subscription at any time without prior notice to you for any reason or no reason.

[erico]

Deferred to IT_WinSec

[Newts350]

Thanks for the reply.  Unfortunately the school cant or wont help.  When we received the Laptop it had Windows 10 Education installed.  This must have been done by the reseller.  We were required to purchase this Laptop through the school as the Resellers had all Software and Hardware identical and could school wide updates at once.

  Thanks anyway, I have now contacted the Reseller and am waiting for a Reply.

[IT_WinSec]

If you don't get help from the reseller, you might attempt to restore to the original operating system - Windows 7 or 8.1 - based on the model. These may be free (or significantly cheaper) . If you want to, please let me know and I will post details.