Windows 10 upgrade problem

If your new Windows 10 can not be activated based on current machine ID, you can borrow a Windows 7 product key from another desktop to activate it. Just make sure the Win 7 COA and your Win10 OS match in terms of Pro vs home (e.g., a Win 7 home key can only activate Win 10 home).  If the Win 7 COA key has not been used to activate Win 10 before, it will most likely be successful on your pc.  Look around there are plenty of desktops that are still on Windows 7.  Your computer repair shop might be able to help you on that too.

Hi @lskeenan, If the product key is on top of your PC, it'll be 5 sets of 5 numbers and letters.  Win8 & 8.1 keys are also accepted in Win10.

If it's a newer version of Win10 with updates, I'm surprised it isn't asking for a sign in with a Microsoft account, like the same sign in you would use for Outlook and so on.

Does it allow you to click on "I do not have a product key" and proceed forward from there?

This is just one article on the subject - The catch is while you can get by, it's still $120 for Home license and $200 for Pro license.  This may or may not be for you:  https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/amp/ 

Another option:  YouTube List Win10 No Product Key  Regular size print:  I stake no claim or knowledge to the legality of related YouTube videos.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activate  Options to "Activate after reinstalling" do come up.

One more last ditch effort:  Google "Windows 10 I do not have a product key" and see what works for you.

If the Product Key window doesn't show you "I do not have a product key" link, that option also comes up when Googling.

@bradthetechnut 

I have always installed Windows 10 without using a Microsoft account.  I was still able to do that with v1909 version.

@lskeenan 

You should have asked before doing anything.

You would have been able to upgrade for free from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

My suggestion is to re-install Windows 7 then use a USB created by Media Creation Tool to upgrade to Windows 10.

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AFAIK, the Windows key is either on a sticker (on outside of machine somewhere) or it is burnt into the motherboard ROM. Many utilities can find and display that key.

That downgrade you did years ago is likely how this went sideways.

Suggestion for a utility to find the product  key in the bios?  It is NOT on the computer.

Thanks!

Ok... How do I do that!?

The only one I've used is:

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

But I saw several others I didn't try. So I can't say which is the best.

Google search may also yield some options including videos.

command prompt

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

It returns the product key if it finds one in BIOS, or returns nothing if not.

I have purchased used laptops which had Windows 8 decal stickers where the hard drive were wiped . On these laptops, Windows 10 activated after I went online after installation .

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That system came with a Windows 8.1 Pro OEM License.

• It has a Microsoft Digital Marker (MSDM) containing a 25 digit product key and a System License Internal Code (SLIC) 2.1.
• The SLIC 2.1 is used for the Windows 7 Pro Downgrade and the MSDM is accepted by the Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Installation Media.

I recommend performing a clean install of Windows 10 Version 2004. Go into the UEFI BIOS setup and ensure that you enable a UEFI Boot with Secure Boot (these are likely disabled if Windows 7 was previously installed) and perform a Dell Data Wipe. Then Download the Windows 10 Version 2004 ISO from Microsoft and make a Bootable USB. Use this to clean install, you should not be asked for a Product Key during installation as it will be automatically input. After installation use Dell Command Update to install all the system drivers. I put together some detailed instructions here:

https://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-10/

Question:  Shouldn't the bootable USB be done before the Dell Data Wipe?