Was Windows 10 Installed on your laptop before you replaced the drive? Was it activated?
If Win10 was installed and activated, then normally it would activate automatically even after replacing a drive. If you had a Microsoft account on the laptop that was associated with Windows 10, log into it and that may help to activate again.
If that still doesn’t activate it, then look up the Microsoft page for Windows 10 activation issues. There is a form you fill out, and then either you call Microsoft or they call you (I forget what the sequence is), and they are quite helpful. I’m not at my computer right now, so I can’t look up that page.
If Windows 10 was not previously installed on that laptop, then you cannot expect it to automatically activate. If you had Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, you would have to first perform the free upgrade. In order to do that, you would have to have a working installation of one of those OS. Once Windows 10 activates after the upgrade, then you could go ahead and wipe the drive and perform a clean install.
Before you call Microsoft (or have them call), try the Windows Activation Troubleshooter: Start menu | Settings | Update & Security | Activation | select Troubleshoot
I did try the troubleshooter and that's when that error came up about not finding the product key on the device. So looks like I will have to call Microsoft.
Yes, Windows 10 was installed and activated on the laptop. Actually, it was upgraded to Windows 11 since I purchased the laptop. But the Dell Restore Tool only installs the original OS on the laptop, which is why I installed Windows 10 again. Every other laptop I had it automatically activates, but on this laptop it doesn't want to activate for some reason. The laptop is about 4 years old, but I've reimaged this laptop before with no issues. But now when I try to activate it, it gives the error about no product key found on the device. So not sure how a Product Key that is embedded on the motherboard can't be found to reactivate it this time.
filbert
4 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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November 21st, 2022 14:00
I am confused by your description of what you did
Was Windows 10 Installed on your laptop before you replaced the drive? Was it activated?
If Win10 was installed and activated, then normally it would activate automatically even after replacing a drive. If you had a Microsoft account on the laptop that was associated with Windows 10, log into it and that may help to activate again.
If that still doesn’t activate it, then look up the Microsoft page for Windows 10 activation issues. There is a form you fill out, and then either you call Microsoft or they call you (I forget what the sequence is), and they are quite helpful. I’m not at my computer right now, so I can’t look up that page.
If Windows 10 was not previously installed on that laptop, then you cannot expect it to automatically activate. If you had Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, you would have to first perform the free upgrade. In order to do that, you would have to have a working installation of one of those OS. Once Windows 10 activates after the upgrade, then you could go ahead and wipe the drive and perform a clean install.
filbert
4 Operator
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1.8K Posts
0
November 21st, 2022 15:00
Before you call Microsoft (or have them call), try the Windows Activation Troubleshooter:
Start menu | Settings | Update & Security | Activation | select Troubleshoot
Firewalker321
1 Rookie
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3 Posts
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November 22nd, 2022 06:00
I did try the troubleshooter and that's when that error came up about not finding the product key on the device. So looks like I will have to call Microsoft.
Firewalker321
1 Rookie
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3 Posts
0
November 22nd, 2022 06:00
Yes, Windows 10 was installed and activated on the laptop. Actually, it was upgraded to Windows 11 since I purchased the laptop. But the Dell Restore Tool only installs the original OS on the laptop, which is why I installed Windows 10 again. Every other laptop I had it automatically activates, but on this laptop it doesn't want to activate for some reason. The laptop is about 4 years old, but I've reimaged this laptop before with no issues. But now when I try to activate it, it gives the error about no product key found on the device. So not sure how a Product Key that is embedded on the motherboard can't be found to reactivate it this time.