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Windows 7 became not genuine after trying to install Windows 10

Anonymous
2021-06-21T15:14:04+00:00

Hi, I was recently given a pc that had a Windows  7 32-bit with license. I made sure it was activated. I actually regret not taking a screenshot of the activated status.

I wanted to go from Windows 7 32-bit to Windows 10 32-bit and then upgrade to Windows 10 64-bit (to fully use the RAM).

I  downloaded  the MediaCreationTool and chose to keep my files and applications and confirmed. The process then started. The pc restarted like one or two times.

But then it was stuck in Windows logo for hours, so when I restarted the pc, it said "Canceling modifications" and told me that the installation has failed with error: "We couldn't install Windows 10, 0xC1900101 – 0x30017. The installation failed in the FIRST BOOT phase with an error during BOOT operation"  

And when I exited that window, a new message at the right bottom corner now says  "7601 this copy of Windows is not genuine" with a black background.

So now I have two problems and this is very for frustrating. What should I do?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Licensing and activation

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  1. LemP 74,940 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-06-21T21:13:53+00:00

    If you have a computer on which Windows 7 was pre-installed by the computer's manufacturer, that is an "OEM " system and "keyfinder" utilities will NOT show the correct Product Key for OEM versions of Windows 7.  If they return anything, it will be the generic Product Key used by the computer manufacturer with Windows was installed at the factory.  That key can't be used to reinstall Windows 7 or upgrade to Windows 10.

    The only valid Product Key is the one on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA).  You can find it in the locations given by CmdrKeene

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-06-21T16:47:01+00:00

    It gives me this "0xC004E003" error when I try to reactivate my Windows 7.

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  3. @CmdrKeene 90,626 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-06-21T15:22:30+00:00

    Do you have your Windows 7 product key?  It may be on a sticker on the computer, under the battery or back case, or perhaps on a manual or disc that came from the original manufacturer. That's really about all you really need (without that, you'd have to actually purchase Windows 10).

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  4. @CmdrKeene 90,626 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-06-21T15:38:44+00:00

    When you type it?  Like when you try to use it to activate?  As long as it's a good key, you can actually use it to activate Windows 10, so one option is to just clean-install Windows 10 so it's a pristine installation, then use that key to activate.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-06-21T15:24:49+00:00

    I downloaded a third party program that let's me see my product ley, and it gives me  "0xc004e003" error when I type it.

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