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Question
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 1:19 AM
If you delete the product key what problems can you have upgrading Windows?
For example this computer had had Windows 7 (factory installed) and years ago was upgraded to Windows 10 free upgrade). Licenses should be on Microsoft servers. KMS was never used.
Running this command successfully removed the product key: slmgr.vbs /upk
How can it be restored?
Would a system restore have to be done?
Would it work?
slmgr /ipk does not display the product key.
slmgr /ato displayed product not found
ActiveSkuDescription : Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel
OSVersion : 10.0.17763.2.00010100.0.0.048
ProductName : Windows 10 Pro
ProcessorArchitecture : x64
EditionId : Professional
What would happen with a failure to upgrade needing a clean install?
Is the product key no longer needed (license on Microsoft servers) with a Microsoft account and after the free upgrade to Windows 10?
All replies (4)
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 9:48 AM ✅Answered
The problem was solved.
The first run of the Windows activation troubleshooter did not fix the deletion of the product ID.
None of the administrative command prompt commands using slmgr restored the product key or fixed the activation failure.
Somehow the second run of the activation troubleshooter worked.
The product ID was restored so that third party software displays the 25 digit product ID.
I did not perform a system restore and it remains unclear whether this would or would not restore the Windows 10 product ID after manual deletion.
In summary, it appears that deleting the product ID and having had the licensing information on Microsoft servers allows the activation troubleshooter to restore the product ID.
This converted validation status: invalid license with validation code 0xC004F014 to validation status: Genuine with validation code 0x4004F401
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 2:23 AM
Since windows XP,all OS get the product key license with a internet connection,its auto.If the product key needs editing,R.click my computer/properties/look at bottom of new window,Product key is listed & can/could be edited.
The KEY is on youre retail package of the OS,its odd that it is corrupted,also,in run type: WinVer
all details of user and key gets shown...
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 2:47 AM
There was no problem with the product key other than it was deleted by running a command prompt command that I had never used.
So now there are questions as in the opening post.
Winver displayed and currently displays the operating system.
Right click my computer now displays that it is not activated an product ID is not available.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 9:38 AM
Hi,
By downloading and running the media creation tool, if you previously upgraded to Windows 10 on this PC and you’re reinstalling it, you don’t need to enter a product key. Your copy of Windows 10 will automatically activate later using your digital license.
More details you can refer to the following link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Hope can help you.
Have a nice day!
Best Regards,
Kiki Shi
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