Re-activate Windows 8

[stevovo]

Hi all,

I bought the Windows 8 upgrade license a while back. I installed Windows 7, then installed Win 8 over that and it activated fine.

I upgraded to a bigger hard drive and I used Acronis to copy the image from the small drive to the large one as is, but now it's complaining that I must activate Windows and it refuses to use that same upgrade key.

What can I do to get it activated?

 

[kingrob]

Dial the automated Microsoft activation service and punch in all the codes.

 

[stevovo]

Dial the automated Microsoft activation service and punch in all the codes.

I don't recall it giving me that option, but I'll double check when I get home. Thanks

 

[kingrob]

I don't recall it giving me that option, but I'll double check when I get home. Thanks

I think it gives you an option to "Reactivate by Phone" and once you click on it, it will give you two phone numbers that you can dial. I always use the toll free number.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Hi all,

I bought the Windows 8 upgrade license a while back. I installed Windows 7, then installed Win 8 over that and it activated fine.

I upgraded to a bigger hard drive and I used Acronis to copy the image from the small drive to the large one as is, but now it's complaining that I must activate Windows and it refuses to use that same upgrade key.

What can I do to get it activated?

Try the following:

http://lifehacker.com/5984278/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-with-an-upgrade-disc

After this it will accept the activation key, and give you the option to re-activate via your phone.

 

[kianm]

Phone activation always works for me in trying times