Windows 10 TH1 is upgrade only and its digital deployment is thus fundamentally flawed creating Microsoft Product Activation issues such as those you are experiencing. Windows 10 TH2 will accept your Windows 7 OEM product key allowing for direct clean installation.
Windows 10 TH2 is out on the Insider Preview and you can install it following my instructions here:
Ahh, I did find a product key underneath the battery compartment. I dont know why the refurb support couldn't tell me it was hiding.
Win 10 didn't like that key though. I'm guessing I will need to reinstall Win 7 (again), ensure the new product key is loaded into that software, then upgrade to Win 10 again.
Thanks! This solved my problem. The new version of Win10 allowed me to use the Win7 product key (hiding under my battery). Windows is activated and all looks good.
Still cant explain why Dell sent me a PC with no OS loaded, but at least now I have a laptop without any bloatware.
Philip_Yip
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October 30th, 2015 18:00
Windows 10 TH1 is upgrade only and its digital deployment is thus fundamentally flawed creating Microsoft Product Activation issues such as those you are experiencing. Windows 10 TH2 will accept your Windows 7 OEM product key allowing for direct clean installation.
Windows 10 TH2 is out on the Insider Preview and you can install it following my instructions here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-technical-preview-iso/
It should be out on the maintrack soon.
Philip_Yip
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16.1K Posts
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October 29th, 2015 00:00
Can you tell me the model? Can you tell me if there is a Windows 7 COA (it may be shielded under the battery) or a Windows 8 sticker?
matted
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October 29th, 2015 15:00
Ahh, I did find a product key underneath the battery compartment. I dont know why the refurb support couldn't tell me it was hiding.
Win 10 didn't like that key though. I'm guessing I will need to reinstall Win 7 (again), ensure the new product key is loaded into that software, then upgrade to Win 10 again.
-Matt
matted
4 Posts
0
November 1st, 2015 19:00
Thanks! This solved my problem. The new version of Win10 allowed me to use the Win7 product key (hiding under my battery). Windows is activated and all looks good.
Still cant explain why Dell sent me a PC with no OS loaded, but at least now I have a laptop without any bloatware.
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
November 2nd, 2015 01:00
Great! Rumour is that TH2 will be released on the maintrack on the 10th of November 2015. The Insider preview should automatically update.