Reset PC Stuck After Upgrade from Windows 7 - Now Windows 10 Won't Activate

[tricky12]

Last night I finally decided to backup all of my files on my Windows 7 desktop machine and wanted to do a clean install of Windows 10 (I had been wanting to reformat for a while, this seemed like a good time to do it). I noticed after starting the free activation of Windows 10 (through Windows Update) that it would only update to Windows 10, so I let it proceed.

Once 10 finished and booted up, everything was great. At this point, I went into settings and chose to Reset this PC, and made sure to select only to remove files - not fully clean the drive.

After being stuck at only 2% for 4 hours, I decided to give up on the reset completing. I turned off my desktop, and then downloaded the Windows program that creates the installation on a USB drive from my laptop. Once completed I inserted the USB drive into my desktop and installed Windows 10 as a clean install without any issues.

After all of this, I cannot activate my Windows 10. Is my only option to use my old Windows 7 installation/key to do another clean install, then go through the Windows 10 update again?

Thanks in advance for any assistance or helpful information!

 

[brianwall]

No need to reinstall! Go to setting/activate and enter your Win7 key. I assume you log on with your MS account as recommended?

 

[tricky12]

No need to reinstall! Go to setting/activate and enter your Win7 key. I assume you log on with your MS account as recommended?

I forgot to mention that I tried this already, and it told me that the activation key was invalid for Windows 10 Home. My version of Windows 7 was Professional I believe. I was never prompted for which version of Windows 10 I was installing on the USB drive, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Either way I think I'm in for another reformat.

 

[brianwall]

Your USB drive install includes all versions doesn't it? I've installed from USB like that but can't remember now!!

 

[tricky12]

Your USB drive install includes all versions doesn't it? I've installed from USB like that but can't remember now!!

As far as I know I only had one version. I just used the tool from here - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 - to create the USB file, and then ran the USB and installed Windows 10 (apparently Home edition).