How do I activate windows 10 after loosing the original licence - Microsoft Community

i haverecently experienced problems computers hardware. i'm far expert, understood, drive containing windows had wiped. after received pc again, said windows wasn't activated. no longer had licence key got computer, consulted on phone , told me buy new licence key, did. went settings>activate windows. it's telling me copy isn't genuine. click change product key option, , input new licence key, confronted error message

'the product ke entered did not work. check product key , try again, or enter different one. (both suggestions followed, had accidentally purchased twould new licence keys)

error code:0x80041023

what should do?

thank you, samuel stork 

it sounds have wrong edition installed. need download edition of windows 10 bought license for. suspect key have pro, because if had pro installed, accept key. if had home installed, upgrade pro.

step 1: download windows 10 home:

https://windows10.help/blogs/entry/7-download-windows-10-anniversary-update-iso-files-directly-using-your-web-browser/

step 2: double click iso file, start setup, enter key. option performing clean install, learn more:

how to: perform clean install of windows 10

you didn't have purchase new key though, since system licensed.

when upgraded previous version of windows or receive new computer preinstalled windows 10, happened hardware (your pc) digital entitlement, unique signature of computer stored on microsoft activation servers. windows 7 or windows 8 genuine license running exchanged diagnostics key.

anytime need reinstall windows 10 on machine, proceed reinstall windows 10. automatically reactivate.

so, there no need know or product key, if need reinstall windows 10, can use windows 7 or windows 8 product key or use reset function in windows 10.

if prompted enter product key, click 'i don't have key' , 'do later'

Windows / Windows 10 / Install, upgrade, & activate / PC