Windows 10 Build 10130 is one of the most stable Windows 10 preview builds ever, but it brought its own set of issues for my Netbook. After installing Build 10130 and after a quick reset I could notice that in settings one message started appearing “Windows in not activated“. It also started showing that the pre-installed Key for Windows 10 is invalid. After some time I also started seeing the water-mark message of Activate Windows in right-bottom corner on my desktop. So how to get rid of this issue?? There are many tips that one can find by searching on net and it seems many have solved this issue by changing the Windows Key.
Activation by changing Windows Key:
There are three different keys for Windows 10 Core, Pro and Enterprise editions (can be found by checking the build in bottom-right corner of your Windows 10 Insider device) and changing the Windows Key has helped many. You can read more about these keys by clicking here.
if you using build Windows 10 Pro build 10074 or later, use 6P99N-YF42M-TPGBG-9VMJP-YKHCF
If you using build Windows 10 Enterprise build 10074 or later, use VTNMT-2FMYP-QCY43-QR9VK-WTVCK
For Core edition use this: BD8NM-JGY2P-8JJYD-WTYKR-HQRJM
How to change the Key:
Press Windows key + R
Type: slui.exe 3
Hit Enter
Enter the product key and click Next to activate over the Internet.
Or
Press Windows key + X
Click Command Prompt (Admin)
At the command prompt, type the following commands:
slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx (allows you to replace the current product key with the specified)
xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx – represents your product key
Hit Enter on your keyboard
Exit the command prompt
Restart your computer
If this doesn’t work as it happened in my case then you can use Phone activation. Though Microsoft says Phone Activation is not possible till public release of Windows 10, but this worked like charm for me.
How to activate Windows by use Phone Activation:
Press Windows key + R
Type: slui.exe 4
Hit Enter
Dial the toll-Free numbers and key in Installation Id as shown on the screen
Note the confirmation Id as told by automated phone voice and key in to the next screen to activate Windows. You can note down this number for future.
The Phone activation has worked for my PC running Windows 10. Do let us know which method worked for you, in case you are facing similar issue.
If your PC is throwing some other activation error, you can check for the error code, its possible cause and fix by clicking here.
