#Smart notebook 11 install did not ask for product key windows 10#

Windows 10 includes a Reset option that allows you either remove everything and start afresh or to actually keep your files while removing programs and settings. There are numerous ways to clear your device and install afresh in future - either if you run into issues or just want to do some spring cleaning. Once installed, during the setup you'll be asked for it and inputting this worked first time for me, meaning my laptop has now been registered and can be activated again in future if I reinstall. This product key is the one you need to use when installing Windows 10 from scratch. Once you've updated to Windows 10, either normally or using the tool listed above, you can use a program called ProduKey ( Download ProduKey) to reveal your Windows 10 key - this will only be shown after you've updated.Р”Р„s you can see above, a new line showing Windows 10 will appear in ProduKey, whereas on the same system before there was obviously nothing as Windows 10 hadn't been installed yet. This will register your device with Microsoft and once installed, Windows 10 will receive its own product key and once you've located this, you can note it down and use it to install Windows 10 from scratch after you've formatted your hard disk or are installing on a new one.

#Smart notebook 11 install did not ask for product key update#

So, what you actually need to do is update first to be on the safe side. If your device says it's activated then all is well and good and you don't need to do anything else. I'm not saying that all devices will fail to update, but mine certainly didn't - in any event, you can check whether your device has been activated in Windows 10 by going to the Start Menu > Settings > Update and security> Activation.

#Smart notebook 11 install did not ask for product key for windows 10#

When Windows 10 boots up from a fresh install, it will ask you for a product key and this isn't the Windows 7 or Windows 8 key of your original OS - at least mine didn't work - it's one for Windows 10 that will have been applied to your device once you updated. Unfortunately this isn't great if you're upgrading to Windows 10 - my own Dell laptop that I bought earlier this year didn't automatically activate when I installed from scratch (not updating) using media created using Microsoft's tool.

In most of these cases, the key is stored in the BIOS of the system, so when you'd use your restore media to reinstall Windows, the OS would automatically activate online without you needing to do anything. So, if you wipe your device and try to install a fresh, you'll likely come unstuck when it comes to activating.

Some devices including laptops made by manufacturers such as Dell, don't have a genuine product key sticker located on the device somewhere.

#Smart notebook 11 install did not ask for product key Pc#

A tool is offered by Microsoft allowing you to do this ( download it here), which forces the update to download - useful if your PC or laptop for some reason hasn't started the process yet.Р”Вon't have genuine product key/your key is built into your device? Thankfully there's a way to force the update to happen and to create your own media for installing a fresh on your PCs. However, I'm still waiting for things to kick off. I reserved Windows 10 and made sure my previous OS was up to date and of course it's genuine too. Some users have found that they're still waiting for the update to be applied and I've certainly experienced this on one of my personal systems. After this, you'll be able to reinstall to your hearts content but if you create your own install media and install a fresh straight away, you risk not being able to activate your operating system - more information on this in a minute. This takes information about your system and allows Microsoft to register it, activating your copy of Windows 10 forever - you won't be obtaining your free copy till you've activated. Whether you want to install a fresh or just install the update and leave it at that (this can install Windows 10 but keep all your files and programs intact), it's a very good idea to install the update first by allowing Windows Update to do its thing or by forcing the download.

#Smart notebook 11 install did not ask for product key how to#

Here's a complete guide on how to how to avoid problems if you haven't already updated, how download it, install it and activate it to make sure you register your free copy For the most part things went fairly smoothly as it was rolled out over Windows Update, but a few problems have raised their heads with people unable to update or activate their new OS. Yesterday saw the release of Microsoft's highly anticipated Windows 10 operating system.