F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems Upgrade issues with Windows 10 often require a full reinstall. Check official sources for guidance.

Upgrade issues with Windows 10 often require a full reinstall. Check official sources for guidance.

Upgrade issues with Windows 10 often require a full reinstall. Check official sources for guidance.

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Agman10
Senior Member
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690
06-10-2016, 03:57 PM
#1
I took the old Thinkpad T420 with Windows 7 Pro activated from work. The hard drive wasn’t certified, so I removed it and installed a fresh Windows 10 on a blank SSD. I checked if the activation would transfer but it didn’t work. Before considering drastic steps, could you find a way to retrieve the activation key from the old HDD? Also, if I reinstall the mechanical hard drive, will upgrading to Windows 10 still require the COA?
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A
Agman10
06-10-2016, 03:57 PM #1

I took the old Thinkpad T420 with Windows 7 Pro activated from work. The hard drive wasn’t certified, so I removed it and installed a fresh Windows 10 on a blank SSD. I checked if the activation would transfer but it didn’t work. Before considering drastic steps, could you find a way to retrieve the activation key from the old HDD? Also, if I reinstall the mechanical hard drive, will upgrading to Windows 10 still require the COA?

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eduardodd08
Posting Freak
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852
06-11-2016, 08:50 AM
#2
Reinsert the old HDD, start it up, and utilize one of the many free Key Extractors to retrieve the 7 keys. Replace the new drive, and if you used a comparable version (such as 7 home to 10 home or 7 pro to 10 pro), Windows 10 will activate smoothly with your original key.
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eduardodd08
06-11-2016, 08:50 AM #2

Reinsert the old HDD, start it up, and utilize one of the many free Key Extractors to retrieve the 7 keys. Replace the new drive, and if you used a comparable version (such as 7 home to 10 home or 7 pro to 10 pro), Windows 10 will activate smoothly with your original key.

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gabhor
Junior Member
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19
06-11-2016, 11:35 AM
#3
You can use a tool named produkey to pull out the important details. The Win10 installation might support a Win7 key, but it depends on whether it's an OEM or retail key.
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gabhor
06-11-2016, 11:35 AM #3

You can use a tool named produkey to pull out the important details. The Win10 installation might support a Win7 key, but it depends on whether it's an OEM or retail key.

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V
ViNxNewBrand
Member
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61
06-11-2016, 01:48 PM
#4
I used Produkey and the antivirus removed it. I reinstalled it and it found a Windows 7 Pro product key from the registry hive files on the old drive using a SATA to USB3 adapter. Microsoft didn’t recognize that CD key. Later, I discovered the original Windows 7 Pro key inside the battery compartment. After installing it, my Windows 10 Pro setup worked properly on the laptop. Interestingly, this old machine was built as a backup for the office, and after about two hours someone asked for a spare and had me send the job elsewhere the following day.
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V
ViNxNewBrand
06-11-2016, 01:48 PM #4

I used Produkey and the antivirus removed it. I reinstalled it and it found a Windows 7 Pro product key from the registry hive files on the old drive using a SATA to USB3 adapter. Microsoft didn’t recognize that CD key. Later, I discovered the original Windows 7 Pro key inside the battery compartment. After installing it, my Windows 10 Pro setup worked properly on the laptop. Interestingly, this old machine was built as a backup for the office, and after about two hours someone asked for a spare and had me send the job elsewhere the following day.

Reply
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