Hi,
My machine: Inspiron 7437 bought in December 2013 in Best Buy US, now I live in UK so Dell US wont talk to me. My Windows is 100% legitimate.
When I bought it, I immediately upgraded to W8.1 and all worked until I had a problem with OneDrive and Microsoft did a “InPlace Upgrade” remotely in early December. They asked me for a Product Key – but Inspiron 7437 doesn’t have a sticker, the ID is apparently embedded. I downloaded “RWEverything” and it gave me my key, which I provided to Microsoft and they did the InPlace Upgrade – Windows 8.1 stayed and it seemed to work OK.
I got the notice to upgrade to Windows 10. Today I downloaded W10 and upgraded.
In the process, I got a message about “your version is not activated, etc.”, so when W10 starts it isn't activated.
I contact Microsoft help, they tinker and say “sorry – your product is used on another PC”, let's do “roll-back to W8.1”.
Of course, when I rolled back to W8.1 it’s the same problem – “your product is used on another PC” “enter a new key”
I call Microsoft “customer sales” – they are not techies (“we just sell”). I asked them for a key to 8.1 – they say “we don’t sell 8.1 anymore, only 10” and it will cost me $119.
Summary: I am now stuck in W8.1 that isn't activated, and the Product Key that I have isn't activating – I get the message that “This product is being used on another PC”.
What are my options?
For example, I can upgrade again on-line (I get the reminder to upgrade and as above, already upgraded then "rolled back to W8.1) – then if I buy a whole new Windows 10 on a USB, will I be able to activate my existing Windows 10 with the key supplied with the W10 that I bought (on the USB), or I will have to reinstall the whole Windows 10 and lose ALL my settings and customisations?
Please help!