Why is my Windows 10 product key invalid?

K

knight500

Back in April of 2020 I bought a new retail copy of Windows 10 home from Newegg.com on a flash drive. I just installed it for the first time on a new PC that I just put together myself. The computer runs fine with not issues or errors. The Windows program seemed to install correctly (this is my first time installing and using Windows 10) and during the installation process I entered the product key that came in the box with the flash drive. But when I try to personalize my desktop I'm told I need to activate Windows. When I follow the instructions in Windows settings I get a window that shows my product ID and the product key I entered in a bunch of X's with the last 5 digits of the key and in red text it reads, "We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital license or product key. If you think you do have a valid license or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code: 0xC004C003". When I follow the troubleshoot instructions I just get the same message.

Down at the bottom of the activation window there is a message that says, "The last product key (ID: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) you entered can't be used on this copy of Windows. (0x803FA067). This ID isn't the same as the ID listed at the top of the activation window. I don't know if this matters.

I made a legitimate purchase of Windows 10 from a legitimate retailer. Nothing in the purchase or the packaging even hints that this is a counterfit version. Why am I being told my product key is invalid?

Unfortunately I lost the email that had the invoice for the purchase of this product from Newegg therefore when I contact Newegg support they can't help me.


Is there anything I can do other than just purchase another copy of Windows 10? And if I do who's to say this won't happen again?


Thanks for any input.

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