Why the f**k are microsoft telling me I need an activation key?

Question

I bought an Acer laptop around 4 months ago. I bought it off Amazon since it was a new Acer model. It came out of the box with windows 10 Home edition. But now a pop up keeps coming up on my laptop telling me I need to activate windows by using an activation key. I am so confused as I thought this laptop came with a free windows 10 copy. I am actually so tired of microsoft. I m considering getting a Mac. But in the mean time, what can I do?

Answer 1

You need to give Microsoft an activation key so they are 100% sure you got an official copy of Windows. Even if Windows 10 is free, using pirated websites can be harmful to Microsoft's sales. Because of this, they ask for a product key. To find a product key, look around on the back, bottom, or sides of your computer until you see a sticker that say exactly what OS you're using. Then, on the same sticker, you will see a product key/activation key. It's been a while since I've done this, so I'm not exactly sure what it's called. Then, when Windows wants you to register, follow the on screen steps. There will be a part where you need to enter a code. Use the product key/activation code mentioned earlier. If this is done correctly, you will have an official copy of Windows with all usable features on your Windows version activated.

Answer 2

Whenever u buy a new pc or fresh install a windows, u have to enter a product key. But only entering a product key is not enough. In order to get updates microsoft needs to be sure that the windows key u are using is not installed on any other computer, and thus they need verification, which can be done directly online or over the phone. Installing the windows with right key is one thing and activating it is another,.

U can find windows 10 key on the dvd's box at the bottom of ur laptop

And if u have inserted the key activate it by using "windows activation". To open it type windows activation" in the start or open system properties and click activate windows and follow on-screen instructions.

Answer 3

Well given the details you have provided, you could be facing a few things. One could be a "new" computer in which someone installed a free trial of windows 10. Another could be a virus. I forget the logistics of the virus but it is something like "Windows is not genuine, call this number to activate or click here or something. The popup is nearly impossible to get rid of, and makes the computer pretty useless. Theres not much on the internet how to get rid of it, but I had a customer bring me a computer like this. What I did to get rid of it was I right click taskbar>Taskmanager> and you find the program that is causing the problem. You then terminate the program or "end task" I then clicked "open file location" and just deleted it. This enables you to go backup your stuff and do what is in the link below. i



http://www.cnet.com/how-to/clean-install-windows-10/



This will reinstall windows 10 and have you start fresh as if it came out of the box.



I truly think this is your problem since you said the computer is new. But to continue with other possibilities, you could be facing a windows trial. Now Microsoft fucked everyone over by not requiring a product key to be stuck on computers anymore after windows 7. Unless your one of those people that saves the boxes the computer came in there not much you can do. But you can use this



http://downloads.tomsguide.com/ProduKey,0301-26388.html



This will find your true windows product key if your computers operating system is Legit. You also want to do this before reinstalling windows 10 as recommended above.



If your computer ends up being a trial which I highly doubt because Acer doesn't sell new OEM computers with trials, you can A either hack it which puts you at risk for viruses and fraud, B consult Acer about the problem, C take it somewhere where someone actually knows what they are doing and can assist you in person then just random people like everyone here guessing over the internet, or D buy a copy of windows and reinstall it your self which i Highly DONT RECOMMEND because I doubt you were given a trial computer but do it as a last resort after trying everything I have said first.



Good luck, if you have any questions or concerns comment below and I will get back to you within 48 hours.



--EDIT--



Alot of people are saying that computers come without operating systems. Almost every computer that is preinstalled with windows 10 come activated. Another thing is as you have stated is you have had the computer for 4 months. Microsoft Windows 10 trial is 90 days, all the more reason you seem to have a virus.

.

Answer 4

a link to the Amazon page would help. some laptops come without operating systems, they sell cheaper then other laptops because of it, and most people will use Linux (usually Ubuntu, as it's the easiest one to use) instead of windows.



if it's asking for an activation key, you most likely bought a laptop without an operating system, check on the amazon page that you bought it from, if Windows 10 is listed, then this is not the case and there is some issue.



there might be a problem with activating windows on the laptop, some laptops and computers do have issues registering with Microsoft. just google 'Activate Windows Online' and you should be taken to microsofts activation page, it will then just download the activation tool/update and activate your licence key.



if there is still an issue and you have bought a laptop WITH a operating system, contact Amazon about the issue.

Answer 5

You should right click my_computer and choose Properties to see what the licence says. all acers have good recovery mechanisms(and ways to create your ONE copy of the recovery media which you should do NOW if you havn't already done so). when you recover a pc using that media the OS should already be activated. some oem's now hide the licence number sticky label inside the battery compartment so you may find it there. Most pc's come with windows 8.1 on them with free w10 upgrade are you sure you didn't do the upgrade or get one that was a returned pc which was already upgraded? Recovery will re-install the original OS(possibly 8.1). also whenever you do a service pack or install A N Other Microsoft product such as Office that might have a dodgy licence it may cause the system to re-ask for activation key licence. Hope that helps.

Answer 6

You need to give Microsoft an activation key so they are 100% sure you got an official copy of Windows. Even if Windows 10 is free, using Duplicate websites can be dangerous to Microsoft's sales.

Answer 7

Anytime ough purchase a brand new computer or even clean use a home windows, ough need to key in an item crucial. However just getting into an item crucial isn't sufficient. To get improvements ms must be sure the actual home windows crucial ough are utilizing isn't set up upon every other pc, and therefore they require confirmation, which may be carried out straight on the internet or higher the telephone. Setting up the actual home windows along with correct crucial is actually something as well as initiating it's an additional,.

Ough will find home windows 10 crucial about the digital video disks container at the end associated with r laptop computer

And when ough possess put the important thing trigger this by utilizing "windows activation". In order to open up this kind home windows activation" within the begin or even open up program qualities as well as click on trigger home windows as well as adhere to on-screen directions.

Answer 8

You still need to activate your copy of Windows 10 with that particular computer. All you need to do is use the affixed Microsoft Product Key sticker ( 25 letter/number code ) that's likely located inside the compartment where the battery is located. I've purchased three computers with Windows installed as the OEM software by the manufacturer, and always had to activate the software for each computer. The Windows software is for the computer it was installed on by the manufacturer, and forever linked to that particular computer only under the OEM terms.

Answer 9

Your laptop is new and that's why it needs a product or license key because i read on the official microsoft page that if you have windows 7 or 8 you can upgrade it for free but other windowses or new computer with a new untouched windows 10 probably need a license key.

Answer 10

Your laptop is new and that's why it needs a product or license key because i read on the official microsoft page that if you have windows 7 or 8 you can upgrade it for free but other windowses or new computer with a new untouched windows 10 probably need a license key.

Answer 11

Well if ur computer is fresh brand new never open then there should of been a sheet of paper that gave u ur key code , but like some ppl that buy off amazon had same issue when I bought one from them, the computer basically just came off the line so unlike the ones u can buy at the store , windows is not basically set up on that computer, so u can buy a key code from Microsoft if ur willing to wait 4 hours for someone to finally answer ur call, its cheaper then buying the window set up at best buy though, most computer off amazon that are new do not come with windows key code, wish they would tell ppl that before u buy them

Answer 12

U can find windows 10 key on the dvd's box at the bottom of ur laptop

And if u have inserted the key activate it by using "windows activation". To open it type windows activation" in the start or open system properties and click activate windows and follow on-screen instructions. PC with a free copy of Windows 10. You have to buy a license. MOST PC's would have come with Windows 10 pre-licensed / pre-paid. Did yours? If so, just enter the number on the back / bottom / documentation.

Answer 13

First of all, your windows license is either on the laptop (bottom, under the battery, etc) OR it's in paperwork that came with the laptop.



If the license didn't come with the laptop, then you're blaming Microsoft for something that's not their fault.



If you have a brand new laptop that came without a license then this blame goes back to the manufacturer of the laptop (in this case Acer), the seller (in this case Amazon), or the buyer (in this case you).



So let's start at the bottom and work up:



(1) the buyer - how is it your fault? It's ONLY your fault if you purchased the laptop and failed to read in the ad on amazon's site that it came without a licensed copy of Windows. It would say something like "windows license purchased separately" for example. Recheck the ad on Amazon's site to see what it says.



(2) the seller - how is it Amazon's fault? It's their fault if they sold you a laptop with an unlicensed copy of Windows WITHOUT stating in their ad that the buyer needed to purchase a license from Microsoft separately. As with the above, you need to read the ad carefully.



(3) Acer - how is it Acer's fault? It's their fault if they sold a laptop thru amazon WITHOUT stating that the windows license had to be purchased by the customer separately



So the first thing you need to do is: re-read the ad at Amazon. Does it state anywhere that you have to buy the Windows license separately? IF it does not, then this falls back into Amazon's area. So in that case, CALL AMAZON and notify them that you purchased a brand new laptop that did not come with a Windows license and that nowhere in their ad did they state that the user has to buy a new one. Amazon stands behind their products and I've never ever had an issue with them. If they sold you something that their ad didn't support, then you can go back on them and RETURN the laptop.

Answer 14

Possibly you have also been fooled because of the home owner. Microsoft windows 10 is usually a cost-free enhance intended for logical microsoft windows 7, 8, 8. 1 permits, solely. seek to get those money-back.

Answer 15

Possibly you have also been fooled because of the home owner. Microsoft windows 10 is usually a cost-free enhance intended for logical microsoft windows 7, 8, 8. 1 permits, solely. seek to get those money-back. ywes it b

Answer 16

Ya windows sucks, but this isn't an unusual problem and you can usually resolve it by contacting Microsoft or the laptop OEM.



Even if it turns out to be a pirate copy, MS usually gives you a key if you can tell them when/where you bought the computer.

Answer 17

I believe it should be, "Why the f**k is Microsoft telling me that I need an activation key?"

Answer 18

which case you thought wrong!!

You can NOT buy a new PC with a free copy of Windows 10. You have to buy a license. MOST PC's would have come with Windows 10 pre-licensed / pre-paid. Did yours? If so, just enter the number on the back / bottom / documentation.

Answer 19

It should be done near automatic, but in any case picketing Microsoft is blaming the innocent. Isn't there a COA sticker on the machine? Put that in if prompted, this should be unnecessary for tablets for they have it digitally stored.

Answer 20

The Windows 10 box has the activation key in it somewhere....you just have to look for it.

Answer 21

Because you don't own their operating system - You are leasing it.



By the way, Linux operating system is free and you do own it.



Or for about $5 you can buy Linux on Ebay. I prefer Linux Mint 17 Works great. You might want to look into it. Check it out on Youtube.

Answer 22

Do the logical thing and contact Microsoft support.

Answer 23

Contact MS and give them the product key on the sticker probably located on the bottom of the laptop. They can work with you to correct this.

Answer 24

Just keep trying. I had this issue for awhile and then I finally called and activated it using my existing code. Don't switch to macs. You will get a whole new range of problems.

Answer 25

If you don't have anything in the box or on the laptop, you will have to give the seller a call. Unless it says in the description that its a free trial or something like that.

Answer 26

Gotta activate

Answer 27

You need an activation key...

Answer 28

Chances are you have a 'trial' Win10 .. look on the BOTTOM of the laptop .. whatever the MS O/S sticker says is what the laptop is licenced for ..



PS You can go look on MS web site for 'How to recognise a legal licence sticker'

Answer 29

You should refer with this question to microsoft's live chat

Answer 30

Belarc will show the Product Codes for Installed Software on your PC, including Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Answer 31

RE>> "I thought this laptop came with a free windows 10 copy."

In which case you thought wrong!!

You can NOT buy a new PC with a free copy of Windows 10. You have to buy a license. MOST PC's would have come with Windows 10 pre-licensed / pre-paid. Did yours? If so, just enter the number on the back / bottom / documentation.

Answer 32

look on the back of the laptop and enter the 25 digit product key and all your issues will be resolved.

Answer 33

You may have been scammed by the seller. Windows 10 is a free upgrade for valid windows 7, 8, 8.1 licenses, only. try to get your money back.

Answer 34

Some "FREE" stuff has a time limit from activation.

After 30 Days you have to buy the "full" access.

Answer 35

Calm down; it's just a process to "register" your purchase with Microsoft, similar to

mailing a "Warranty Card" on purchase of any other product. Check with whoever you

hire to repair or "debug" your Computer(s); they can probably "turn off" the pop up.

OF COURSE by doing that your Software will be "non-existent" a far as M/S knows so

don't expect "support".

Answer 36

pls go to acer web site and enter modelno of Acer laptop and check it has an licened windows with laptop. if not you have to pay and get the licence copy or go with Free Linux distribution like ubuntu

Answer 37

Yes you go for Mac Windows always give this type of problem all the time.

Answer 38

It depends if its from a no good store amazon uses. Might be fake key

Answer 39

Large corporations also make mistakes, you must contact the supplier for this mess. I think they can resolve it. I believe you have purchased it from a reliable source.

Answer 40

It's copyright protection.

Answer 41

Go to the shop there you bought your laptop and tell them. If the shop doesn't exist anymore it means you been fooled.

Answer 42

You have installed a pirated windows

Go to original

Answer 43

calm down and sit tight wait a few minutes while you take a breath and what about stop using the computer and going to bed?

Answer 44

I think it should go to your e-mail regardless of where you purchased it, and they usually have a recovery key to help you if you lose it.

Answer 45

it is needed to activate your product

Answer 46

purchase their activation key that's why they are showing error popup

Answer 47

For it's safety ans sell.

Answer 48

Spend money young grass hopper

Answer 49

do you have an existing account? no. microsoft isnt free

Answer 50

Call the manufacturer to get the problem resolved.

Answer 51

If you don't have MS account

Answer 52

Right now you can install free Linux Ubuntu as I had. No licenses is guaranteed.

Answer 53

Ya

Answer 54

YOU NEED TO USE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS YOU REGISTERED WITH. THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU USE TO LOGIN TO WINDOWS 10. THAT WILL ACTIVATE YOUR W10

Answer 55

Piracy is bad for business.

Answer 56

enable "windows automatic updates". if it can't automatically put junk on your computer, it sends this message. you can go to start>system security>system and it should go away

Answer 57

Verified account for it

Answer 58

Becuase you beed one

Answer 59

Dude I don't know don't ask. And don't curse.

Answer 60

windows

Answer 61

lool

Answer 62

ssddv

Answer 63

Break it!

Answer 64

Its not genuine.

Answer 65

N

Answer 66

Yes... give it ..

Answer 67

NSA

Answer 68

Dumb