Windows 10 Media Creation Tool Can't Read My Oem Product Key

This article, updated to reflect Windows 10 version 2004 (aka May 2020 Update), covers the about common scenarios yous're likely to run into when installing, reinstalling, and activating Windows ten.

Is information technology withal possible to upgrade a PC to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1?

For the starting time yr later on the release of Windows 10, Microsoft offered costless upgrades using the Get Windows 10 app, which appeared in the taskbar as a notification icon and in Windows Update. With the end of the gratuitous upgrade offering, the Get Windows x app is no longer bachelor, and you cannot upgrade from an older Windows version using Windows Update.

The good news is that yous can all the same upgrade to Windows ten on a device that has a license for Windows seven or Windows 8.1. You'll need to download the installation files and run the Setup plan from inside Windows or use the Upgrade Banana bachelor from Microsoft'south accessibility page. For details, meet "Hither'due south how you can still go a complimentary Windows 10 upgrade."

Equally of tardily May 2020, readers have confirmed to me that this procedure still works.

PCs that have a license to run Windows XP or Windows Vista are non eligible for a free upgrade to Windows x.

Where tin can I become installation files for Windows ten?

If you've built a new PC or you're installing Windows 10 in a virtual auto on a Mac, you can purchase a license from third-party sellers or from Microsoft itself, via the Microsoft Store. Windows x Dwelling costs $120 from Microsoft, and Windows ten Pro costs $200. Prices from third-party sellers, including Amazon, are typically lower. Depending on how y'all buy, you'll receive installation media (DVD or USB key) or a product key and instructions for downloading installation media.

Windows 10 tips: Setup and configuration: Don't settle for default settings | Performance and troubleshooting | Productivity | Networking and security

If you already have a Windows x product primal or you are planning to reinstall Windows 10 on a machine that already has a digital license (more on that later), visit the Download Windows 10 folio and download the Media Cosmos Tool. This free download allows you to create a bootable USB wink drive directly.

As an alternative, I recommend that you download an ISO file instead. That file tin be mounted directly in File Explorer (meet "Windows ten tip: Mount and unmount any ISO file instantly" for instructions); an ISO file can also be used to create a bootable USB flash drive, a bootable DVD, or a virtual DVD bulldoze mounted in a virtual machine.

Subsequently running the Media Creation Tool, choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC. By default, the pre-selected options cull an compages (32-bit or 64-chip) that matches that of the current PC. Open the driblet-downwards listing shown hither if you want to choose a different compages or download an ISO file that includes both architectures.

Utilize this drop-down listing to download a specific Windows ten architecture.

The ISO file for an x86 (32-scrap) edition is approximately three GB in size. The x64 (64-bit) edition is delivered as an ISO file approximately four GB in size. The combined installer is merely over 6 GB in size.

Developers and IT pros with a Visual Studio (MSDN) subscription tin download installation media in ISO format from the subscriber portal. Notation that the installer files downloaded from this source are too big to be copied to a bootable USB flash drive formatted using the FAT32 file system (FAT32 is required for booting on a system with UEFI firmware). For a workaround, run into "Windows x installer files too big for USB flash drive? Here's the fix."

Windows 10 Enterprise editions are available through the Book Licensing Service Center. A free 90-24-hour interval trial edition is as well available from the Microsoft Evaluation Centre.

What's the most recent Windows 10 version?

Microsoft made Windows 10 version 2004 (also known as the Windows x May 2020 Update) available to the Release Preview ring of the Windows Insider Program on April sixteen, 2020, and plans to begin making it widely available to consumers via Windows Update at the end of May.

This major update succeeds version 1909 (also known as the Windows 10 Nov 2019 Update). That version was released to the general public on November 12, 2019. The previous version was version 1903, which was released on May 21, 2019. The version 1909 release was deliberately scaled down to include only "a scoped set of features for select performance improvements, enterprise features, and quality enhancements." Anyone running version 1903 received the version 1909 update as a lightweight "enablement package," which installed in only a few minutes.

In its first two years, Windows x had split up release schedules for consumer and business editions. In mid-2017, Microsoft consolidated these two channels into a single i. Business concern and enterprise customers can opt to defer the appearance of new releases in Windows Update for up to 365 days subsequently the general release date using the Windows Update for Business feature fix.

For a full listing of release dates for major versions, see the official Windows ten release data page.

Each major release is associated with a build number. The initial July 2015 release was build 10240. The build numbers of subsequent updates are as follows:

Version 1511 - build 10586
Version 1607 - build 14393
Version 1703 - build 15063
Version 1709 - build 16299
Version 1803 - build 17134
Version 1809 - build 17763
Version 1903 - build 18362
Version 1909 - build 18363
Version 2004 - build 19041

A number afterwards the major build number identifies the most recent update installed.

To bank check which version of Windows 10 is installed on a device, open up Settings > System > About. As an alternative, you can click in the search box and type settings:about. The same information is also available using the winver command, which displays results in a compact Most Windows dialog box.

The organization shown below, for instance, is running the May 2019 Update, version 1903, with the 2019-04 Cumulative Update practical.

This PC is running the Windows ten May 2019 Update.

Volition Microsoft automatically update my PC to the latest release of Windows 10?

If yous're currently running Windows 7 or eight.one, y'all volition not be offered an upgrade to Windows 10.

If you are running whatever unmanaged edition of Windows 10 using default settings, these feature updates (the new, official terminology for what were one time called upgrades) are delivered through Windows Update. In versions prior to 1903, feature updates download and install automatically. You can schedule the installation for a more convenient time or postpone information technology for a few days, but you cannot delay the update indefinitely.

Kickoff with version 1903, Microsoft began offering feature updates for installation separately from security and reliability updates. The company says these updates will not exist downloaded or installed automatically unless the current version is at or about the end of its support window. For more details about these changes, see "Windows 10 Home edition users are large winners as Microsoft overhauls its update procedure."

On systems running Windows x Home and Pro, the support menses for each version is 18 months. Windows x Enterprise and Teaching editions have a longer support period of 30 months for the version released in the 2nd one-half of each yr. To manage feature updates based on these support calendars, meet"When will you get the next version of Windows ten? Here's how to accept command."

When a feature update is released, it may have several weeks or months to curl out to the huge worldwide installed base of Windows x users, a process Microsoft calls "throttling."

Utilize the Update Banana to manually download and install the latest feature update.

Each characteristic update delivered through Windows Update requires roughly 3 GB of bandwidth and disk space. If your PC is running an outdated version (as might be the example if you restored information technology using the manufacturer's recovery media) and you don't want to wait for Windows Update, yous can employ the Windows 10 Update Banana to get the latest version. Visit the Download Windows 10 folio and click Update Now to start the procedure.

That activeness downloads a very minor installer file that runs a compatibility check so, assuming the device passes all compatibility tests, begins the full upgrade. The Update Assistant is a straightforward wizard that doesn't require technical cognition to use; it does, notwithstanding, require an ambassador'due south credentials to install.

Practise I demand a product key to install or reinstall Windows 10?

If you upgrade over a properly activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows viii.ane, you can run Setup from within your current Windows installation and you lot will not be prompted to enter a product key. After the upgrade is complete, your new copy of Windows ten will be activated with what Microsoft calls a "digital license."

If yous are using bootable installation media to perform a clean install on a PC that previously had a properly activated copy of Windows x, y'all do not need to enter a product key. (When you see the prompt to enter a key, click the I don't take a production key option.)

Because the PC received a digital license as part of its earlier upgrade, Windows ten will be automatically activated after the installation is complete.

If you are using bootable installation media to perform a clean install on a PC that has never been upgraded to Windows 10 and activated, you will need to enter a product key. You tin enter a production key from Windows x or from a matching edition of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. Residents of the United states who don't ain a qualifying Windows license can skip entering a product key and buy a license online from the Windows Store later setup is complete.

How do digital licenses work?

When y'all upgrade over an existing, activated copy of Windows, the Setup program checks the electric current activation status. If information technology determines the installation is properly activated, it contacts a Microsoft activation server and generates a license certificate that is linked to that hardware. (A Microsoft account is not required for this step; the license is generated for the device, not for its owner.)

This automatic activation procedure is identical whether y'all use an ISO file to start the upgrade or do so from the downloaded upgrade files.

After that beginning activation is complete, you can perform a clean install on that same hardware using Windows 10 installation media. As long equally the hardware "fingerprint" matches the previous installation ID, the installation is activated automatically. (Microsoft does non provide details of what goes into the hardware ID, except to confirm that it does not contain any personally identifiable information and is not used for tracking purposes.)

To check the activation status of a Windows ten PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.

A digital license indicates that no product key is necessary.

How long does a Windows 10 upgrade take?

That's primarily dependent on the operation of your system. Windows Setup uses hardlinks to drift data files, so the amount of data files shouldn't accept a significant effect on install times. Over the past few versions, Microsoft has fabricated some changes that speed the procedure up significantly for the twice-yearly feature updates (encounter "Windows x feature updates painfully dull? Relief is in sight").

In my feel, the update can take as lilliputian as 30 minutes and as much as two hours. Anything more than that indicates a problem (or very old, slow hardware). In version 2004, nearly of the work occurs in the groundwork, and the final phase, which occurs after a reboot, can accept less than 10 minutes on mod hardware.

Except for a few questions at the first, the upgrade process runs completely unattended.

What's the difference between Windows ten and Windows 10 Northward and Windows 10 S?

The N editions of Windows lack media playback capabilities. Microsoft is required to offer these editions equally function of a settlement in a European antitrust trial.

Yous don't want Windows 10 N. Nobody does.

Windows x S is a special configuration of Windows ten that allows users to install only programs that are downloaded from the Microsoft Shop and blocks access to many command-line tools. You can catechumen a PC running Windows 10 S to the total version of the underlying edition (Home or Pro) by signing in as an administrator and using an option in Settings > Activation

Tin Windows 10 Home be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro?

Aye. In fact, yous can utilize that upgrade using a spare key from an earlier edition of Windows, including Windows vii Pro or Ultimate, Windows eight Pro, or Windows 8.i Pro. Follow the instructions in this article carefully: "How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro for free."

This procedure is especially useful when restoring Windows x on a system that originally shipped with Home edition and was manually upgraded to Pro. In this scenario, you might demand to use a generic product central get-go to upgrade to Pro. After the upgrade is complete, you can activate using the stored digital license or a product cardinal.

My upgrade is complete. Tin can I delete the setup files?

I recommend that you leave them for now unless deejay space is so tight that you lot absolutely must remove them.

The Windows.old folder contains files needed to roll back to your previous version if necessary. Information technology volition delete itself automatically in 10 days. You can do and then manually past running Disk Cleanup Manager in ambassador manner and choosing the option to remove your old Windows version. You can also perform the same activity by going to Settings > System > Storage; click the system drive then select Temporary Files, where Previous Windows Installation(s) is an option.

Just don't exercise this just considering y'all similar a tidy arrangement.

To open Disk Cleanup Manager, click in the search box (next to the Start button) and blazon Cleanmgr. Right-click the Disk Cleanup entry at the peak of the list and cull Run As Administrator.

Use the Disk Cleanup Director to remove unneeded files later an update.

The setup files themselves are in a hidden folder called C:\$Windows.~BT. Because of the fashion Windows assigns permissions to these folders, you lot can't delete them from File Explorer but instead must use one of the previously mentioned organization tools.

Having installation files bachelor comes in handy if y'all need to reset your PC or if you are in the Windows Insider Program and demand to roll back a build. I recommend that you exit them intact unless you're critically low on disk infinite.

Should I upgrade or do a clean install?

That's up to yous. Windows 10 supports upgrades over Windows 7 Service Pack one or later too as clean installs. To do a clean install, you lot will need bootable media.

Tin I fix Windows 10 as part of a dual- or multi-kicking installation?

Yes, but only if you follow some strictly defined procedures.

First, you must kick from installation media and choose the Custom pick in Setup.

Second, yous must install Windows x on a separate disk segmentation or physical drive; if you choose the same division that contains an existing Windows version, yous will lose access to that Windows installation. (Your existing data files and all current Windows arrangement files will be moved to the Windows former folder.)

Windows ten will add itself to the boot bill of fare if you install it in a separate volume on a system that already has a previous version of Windows installed.

Is information technology possible to uninstall Windows 10?

Yes. For 10 days subsequently the upgrade, yous tin can ringlet back to your previous Windows version; if you experience problems, you'll find the choice to roll dorsum in Settings > Update & security > Recovery.

Tin I install Windows 10 in a virtual auto?

Yes, as long equally the virtualization software is compatible. On a PC, the desktop Hyper-V characteristic in Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise is ideal. On a Mac, y'all can use tertiary-political party software like Parallels Desktop

How do I transport feedback to Microsoft?

You'll see occasional pop-up prompts that ask questions nigh your experience with Windows 10. You can click those tiles to send comments, or utilise the Feedback Hub app (y'all'll find it on the new Start menu.)

More questions? Ask abroad in the comments below or, ameliorate all the same, open up my bio page and click the e-mail icon below my name. Please enter a working electronic mail address in the contact form so that I can contact you with follow-up questions. Your electronic mail address will not be used for whatever other purposes.

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Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/hands-on-with-windows-10-upgrading-installing-and-activating-in-the-real-world/