I had a pc with a legal version of Windows 7 Pro installed. As soon as the pop-up for the free upgrade to Windows 10 came I tried to upgrade. However, my pc kept crashing in the process. After 7 trials (installation failed restoring to previous version) I figured out my ssd wasn't working stable and kept disconnecting (That explained my random crashes and freezing pc as well). I decided to keep it on Windows 7 and buy a new hdd and after that do a clean install.
However, my (Windows 7) pc decided a BSOD was a better option. But, it was not the scary Windows 7 blue screen but a Windows 10 one with a smiley. I was wondered but tried te restore option which it gave me. However, after this my computer wouldnt boot at all (No operating system found press ctrl + alt + delete to reboot).
Now I have bought a new ssd and installed a clean version of Windows 10. It won't activate tho because I have an OEM key and I should have followed the upgrade -> clean install route (which I tried). I called Microsoft but some support girl told she couldnt help and I would have to reinstall my Windows 7 with some kind of usb/dvd from my pc builder and upgrade afterwards which I dont have.
Is there another way of activating my Windows 10? I have saved my Product ID and CD Key of the previous installation. I was pretty disappointed the Microsoft girl didn't want to help me.
Hope someone can help. Sorry for the long post. TLDR: Windows 10 upgrade failed, how can I activate my clean Windows 10 installation with OEM key?
Answer
Rule of thumb: once you are upgraded at Windows 10, never reach for installation media of previous version. (If you do, you may lose both old and new licence.) Use Windows 10 installation media instead. The upgrade was one-way upgrade.
Details:
Considering your case, I am not sure whether you Windows 10 upgrade installation was considered to be successful by system. Because if yes, then status of your licence is something like Upgraded to Windows 10 and thus your Windows 7 key is no longer valid. This also means, you won't be allowed to activate Windows 7 upon reinstalling and therefore upgrade for Windows 10 won't be available for you again.
What I will do in your case – I'll start at safer point, assuming your licence is considered upgraded. So at another computer, create Windows 10 installation media and make clean install of Windows 10 using the disk/USB.
If Windows 10 won't activate on clean install, then perhaps you can assume (and confirm with Microsoft installation hotline?) that your old Windows 7 licence is still active so you can try Windows 7 clean install (+ activation) followed by Windows 10 upgrade installation. Again, this is safe only if your licence was not upgraded, otherwise you may lose your licence. You can use any Windows 7 Pro media for re-installation, media is not bound to your key. Perhaps you can get some from local PC repair shop.
Some big PC manufacturers like Dell, have different approach to reinstallations: their service centre is able to sell special Windows installation media which do not require key at installation, but installer reads one from motherboard/CPU. I purchased it once, it was about 30€. It is their way for recovery Windows installation because they initially ship no media with new PC. It was what Microsoft advised me to try (contact PC manufacturer) and it worked.
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert in this but I have seen some articles already. Here's one interesting source (including links in comments).
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