General Computer Issues

[Dr.Agon]

Hey guys,

So I messed up one of my PC's, (deleted something I shouldn't have) so I downloaded a win10 iso from the Microsoft website and stuck it on a usb drive, everything installed, got the drivers sorted, problem solved, right?

Well, I went to the settings to set it up how I wanted and at the bottom of the page it says "activate Windows", or something, so using my other win10 PC, I pulled the product key and typed it in, "can't activate because we don't think you have a genuine copy of Windows"

Can I activate this install? Do I need to?

[Tech13]

Ok so we are delving into the legal licensing of Operating systems...

This can get pretty deep but I will try to keep it simple

Windows can be purchased multiple ways.

1) Machine license: good for that machine and that machine only. Like when you buy a Dell laptop and you can not take the copy of windows 10 to another computer.  Normally only large computer manufacturers have access to these.

2)  Retail license: Attaches to your Microsoft account and can be activated on a specified number of machines made clear at the time of purchase and transferable.


Should you activate windows I say yes because you get more benefits.

however you will have to pay for a license and it can get expensive.

[DeadPark]

Windows 10 changed the limitations with unregistered copies. on older version windows would stop working after a while. However, starting with windows 10, you'll see a watermark in the corner and that is about it. they don't care anymore if you never register. I think there might be some minor settings, like you can't change the color of the task bar or some stupid little changes like that. but as long as you don't mind the watermark in the corner, you never NEED to activate windows 10.

[wiggy]

You can’t just pull a product key from another activated windows machine.

Iirc, the installation of Windows 10 that came on your computer originally, assuming you didn’t buy and install it, is basically paired with it. I don’t believe there’s even a way to move it from one machine to another.  At least not a simple way.

[Dr.Agon]

You can’t just pull a product key from another activated windows machine.

It was worth a try...

Oh well, only wasted 10 minutes

Here's a thought, I have a genuine new copy of win8.1 with key, could I install that then upgrade/update to win10 and have an activated/fully licensed win10?

[flamepanther]

If you had Windows 10 before, it should either be linked to your Microsoft account (if you upgraded) or a hardware ID (if it came preinstalled). If your hardware hasn't changed, or if you connect the same Microsoft account, Windows should activate itself automatically.

I'm guessing you had a different version of Windows before, and decided to upgrade now that you're reinstalling the OS anyway. I believe the "free upgrade to Windows 10" promotion ended some time ago, but apparently it still works--they just don't nag you to do it anymore:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/
So if you get tired of the default wallpaper and watermark, you could reinstall your old OS and then follow the upgrade process.

[Tech13]

You can’t just pull a product key from another activated windows machine.

It was worth a try...

Oh well, only wasted 10 minutes

Here's a thought, I have a genuine new copy of win8.1 with key, could I install that then upgrade/update to win10 and have an activated/fully licensed win10?

Also the freebie upgrade days are over. 

[flamepanther]

Also the freebie upgrade days are over.

Officially. But upgrading still results in a valid license. And it's not even like Microsoft doesn't want you to do it, either. It's more like "we took that off the menu, but you can still order it."

[Bear78]

Also the freebie upgrade days are over.

Officially. But upgrading still results in a valid license. And it's not even like Microsoft doesn't want you to do it, either. It's more like "we took that off the menu, but you can still order it."

This.  You can still do an in-place upgrade from 8.1 to 10 using a licensed copy of 8.1.  You got to do some google fu to fine the right download but it's still out there and valid.

[Dr.Agon]

Can confirm the "win8.1-to-win10" free upgrade still works, got "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account" Yay!

Still need to sit through the windows updates...

[Tech13]

Can confirm the "win8.1-to-win10" free upgrade still works, got "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account" Yay!

Still need to sit through the windows updates...

WSUS offline is what you need to google.

[Snowcone]

You don't even need to install win7/8 to upgrade. Just install win10 and use the old win7/8 key to activate. I did it last week for a new NUC i bought my wife and used an old win7 key that wasn't in use anymore.

[Dr.Agon]

That's interesting/good to know...

[Dr.Agon]

Hey guy's! Thought I'd post this here 'cos I can't be bothered to google...

So, at the beginning of December I bought My Dad a "new" tablet off ebay, specifically an amazon fire hd 10 (2017),  hacked it to eliminate the amazon stuff and used it for a bit so I could troubleshoot any problems it might have, then gave it to Him about 2 weeks ago...

The problem I have now is when He goes on amazon or ebay to look at prices for things it shows up on My search history, and presumably anything I search for shows on His search history...

The question is, can I log out of My account permanently on His tablet, and how do I do this?

Thanks in advance!

[Arseen]

Yeah you can log out.
On ebay it on the upper left corner where it says hi [your name].
Click that and there is option to sign out.

On Amazon it at midright upper corner under your account.

After all this go wipe cookies and stored passwords so it does not auto log in you next time.