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I have an old laptop that I did a Windows 10 refresh on because I want to sell it. Now it's asking me for the Windows product key. I bought this used for my boyfriend's daughter for school 3 years ago. The only key I have is ******** that I could retrieve using power shell. I can't get it to re-activate. We've been using this laptop for the past 3 years without issue. Now I can't get Microsoft to recognize that it's a valid copy of Windows. I wish I had left it alone. I've already removed it from my account an everything. I'm not willing to buy another license if I'm trying to sell it. What can I do?
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KMS key == Key Management Service, used with volume licensing. A kms server on the local network serves up the volume licenses to clients. What you're after is a MAK key.
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How would I retrieve that from my system?
You don't, If an OEM then look for a product key sticker somewhere on the case, if retail then it would have been on the packaging that it came in.
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Just checking if there's any progress or updates?
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No, I'm just going to have to toss the computer.
Sounds good, please don't forget to close up the thread here by marking answer.
How did you try?
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
slmgr /ato
(also posting product keys in public forums is bad news)
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oh sorry.
I ran the 1st one, and got the error: Error: 0x80070002. The system cannot find the file specified. (SWbemObjectEx)
I ran the 2nd one, and got the error: Activating Windows(R) Professional edition, (then what looks like a registry file name) Error: 0x803F7001 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0x803F0700" to display the error text.
When I run slui.exe 0x2a 0x803F0700, I just get a pop up that says an error has occurred, you can also contact Microsoft by phone to help resolve this problem code 0x00000000 Description: null
you cannot run the second without running the first one with a valid product key in the correct 25-digit format.
Just checking if there's any progress or updates?
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Ok, update
I did a complete reinstall of Windows 10 (not repair) Used the product key I had with the commands you provided.
slmgr /ipk worked
slmgr /ato did not - still getting Error 0x8007007B The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect (SWbemObjectEx)
I went into the registry under HKEY _ Local _ Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
There was a different key under BackupProductKeyDefault. I tried using THAT key.
slmgr /ipk worked again
slmgr /ato still didn't work - received same error
And Windows is still not Activated
I searched the error codes I received. It recommended to do a sfc /scannow and dism restore health, then restart. Upon the restart, I received a BSOD which my system was fortunately able to partially recover from; however, I then got stuck in a boot loop. I'm forces to just wipe Windows and do a fresh install again. I fear the refresh I did was corrupt. I'm currently only at 69%. Fingers crossed that this fixes the issue. I've never had this type of issue before with Windows 10. This OS has always been my favorite to work with. I was shocked by the road blocks I was receiving. I'll definitely keep you updated. Thanks for checking in.
Ok, sounds good, hopefully you did a clean install vs a repair install.
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I had this issue years ago with window 7. I called Microsoft and they gave me a new key. I don't know if they still do that but its worth a shot.
Sounds good, please don't forget to close up the thread here by marking answer.
Sounds like you're trying to use a kms key which is not going to work.
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