Windows 10 activated with wrong edition

Question

I recently reinstalled Windows 10 on a laptop after replacing the SSD. The mother board on the laptop is still the same.

The laptop came with a Windows 10 Pro license which it had on installed on the old SSD.

After installing Windows on a new SSD and logging in with the same account, the activation indicates that I have Windows 10 Home edition.

Trying to activate using the OEM key that is printed on a sticker on the laptop I get the 0xc004f050 error code.

I did install windows using a newer version than the one the laptop came with.

Is it possible to somehow fix this, or should I reinstall again with an older version of Windows hoping it will somehow magically properly activate?

Answer 1

Hi Kexxar87

1

If there is a product key on that sticker, have you tried entering that product key to upgrade the PC to the Pro version?

2

If that does not work for you:

Disconnect totally from the Internet

Open the Settings App (Gear icon on your Starr Menu)

Go to Update and Security - Activation

Click Change Product key

Enter this generic product key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

When prompted, click 'Activate Product'

If the above does not work first time, try again.

Note the generic key will cause the Home edition to upgrade to the Pro edition, then your own legal licence will activate automatically after you restart (not shut down) your PC

Answer 2

The sticker appears to be legit based on the age of the laptop.

The laptop is not new anymore, but I did get it as new. I am the first and only user. And like I said, the Windows was activated properly when it was new.

The laptop in question is an Asus GL702VMK and is now way outside its warranty period.

Maybe it is not normal now for an OEM sticker to be on the laptop, but it was when it was purchased here in Serbia.

I would very much like to avoid having to try and reinstall multiple old versions of Windows just to get the activation to work and then painstakingly update to the latest version.

But, I might try that at some point, as I have read somewhere that the key is only for a specific version of windows. Not sure if that is true.

Answer 3

Hi Kexxar87

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

1

it would be unusual for a Windows 10 COA sticker with a Product Key to be on a laptop, does that look like an official Microsoft Sticker?

2

Was that laptop new or used when you purchased it and was Windows 10 Pro pre-installed or did the retailer install Windows 10?