Upgrade to W10: "This product key didn't work ..." message

E

EfremM

Bit poster
I'm running Parallels 11 under OS X 10.11.5 (newest) on a late-2011 17" MacBook Pro with a high-end configuration for the time. I'm trying to upgrade from 64-bit Windows 7 to Windows 10. The direct upgrade didn't work - it hung looking for updates, a common problem - so I'm following instructions posted by ManojK@Parallels in this thread. At the point where Windows asks for the product key, entering the key from my Windows 7 DVD gets the message "This product key didn't work. Please check it and try again, or try a different key." I've entered it multiple times, with the Caps Lock key both on and off (displays upper case either way), double- and triple-checked that I entered it right.

The DVD is an upgrade; I previously had Windows XP. I have no idea what my XP key might have been if that's what it wants. Also, it's an education version, in case that matters. I'm still eligible for that as a faculty member.

Is there any other place I can find the key it wants? If it wants a new Windows 10 key, were would it be? Other ideas? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!
 
Hello EfremM,
First of all, make sure Windows 7 is activated on your computer. If it prompts for the activation key during the upgrade process, that means the Windows in not yet activated. Please activate Windows 7 and then try to perform Windows 10 upgrade process with referring to this link. Note: We do not have any information about Microsoft products and we request to reach out Microsoft support if you have an issue related to activation or licensing issue.
 
Update and conclusion:

1. Thanks for the prompt reply. Parallels participation in this forum says a lot for the company and its attitude to customers. I've been one through several releases and expect to stay with you for as long as I need to run Windows on a Mac.

2. Last night I realized, while falling asleep, that this is really a Microsoft issue, not a Parallels issue. Thanks for not jumping on me too hard about that.

3. When I woke my Mac from sleep this morning, I had to log into Windows again. The earlier upgrade process had quit. Instead, I got Microsoft's standard "do you want to upgrade to Windows 10?" dialogue box. I clicked yes. The process went like a charm, though it was a lot slower than an OS X upgrade. The screens it went through were quite different from those I saw with the Parallels-initiated upgrade process. It did not request a product key at any time. I am now on Windows 10. It seems to perform as advertised.

So: problem solved.
 
EfremM said:
Update and conclusion:

1. Thanks for the prompt reply. Parallels participation in this forum says a lot for the company and its attitude to customers. I've been one through several releases and expect to stay with you for as long as I need to run Windows on a Mac.

2. Last night I realized, while falling asleep, that this is really a Microsoft issue, not a Parallels issue. Thanks for not jumping on me too hard about that.

3. When I woke my Mac from sleep this morning, I had to log into Windows again. The earlier upgrade process had quit. Instead, I got Microsoft's standard "do you want to upgrade to Windows 10?" dialogue box. I clicked yes. The process went like a charm, though it was a lot slower than an OS X upgrade. The screens it went through were quite different from those I saw with the Parallels-initiated upgrade process. It did not request a product key at any time. I am now on Windows 10. It seems to perform as advertised.

So: problem solved.
Click to expand...
Hi @EfremM,
That is great! We are glad that the issue is fixed. We really appreciate your positive feedback and really look forward to your contribution and participation.
Feel free to reach out to us any time and we will be happy to help!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top