Solved Windows says my Key is in use on another PC

Michaelvas17

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I did have it installed on another computer but, it was uninstalled. Do I wait to see If the system needs to gather information or do I need to reinstall? Btw, this is NOT the Inspirion 14z 2013.
 

My Computer

System One

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    Windows 8.1 Update 1
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    Alienware x51
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I did have it installed on another computer but, it was uninstalled. Do I wait to see If the system needs to gather information or do I need to reinstall? Btw, this is NOT the Inspirion 14z 2013.
You may have to contact Microsoft to activate your new windows installation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
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    Lenovo Y520
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    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
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    OEM Lenovo
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    4GB DDR4-2400
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    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
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    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
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    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
But why? I doesn't need to be. It isn't in use
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware x51
    Memory
    1TB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 204BW; Dell E173FP
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK520
    Mouse
    Logitech MK520
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
But why? I doesn't need to be. It isn't in use

There is no explicit de-activation. The activation servers only have the information that the key was used.

You'll have to activate by phone. The first level is automated. If that fails, you ought to be referred to a human. Even then, the whole process should take less than ten minutes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
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    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
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    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
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    Asus PA246Q
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    1920X1200
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    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
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    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
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    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
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    cheap Logitech USB wired
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    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
[FONT=&quot]After doing a clean install you must also do a (Refresh) to activate windows 8…[/FONT]
 

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System One

  • OS
    Win 7 & Win 8
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    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II X2 245
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H
    Memory
    4096 MB DDR2-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On bord
After doing a clean install you must also do a (Refresh) to activate windows 8…

That's the work-around to activate a Win8 upgrade copy on a hard drive that lacks an OS that qualifies for the upgrade.

The OP didn't say what sort of Win8 license he (she/it/they) has. I'm not sure, but I'd expect to get a wrong license key type message before getting a key already in use message if an upgrade copy was used to install Win8 on a blank HD (without using the refresh trick).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
Sorry about overlooking (key already in use message)…
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 & Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II X2 245
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H
    Memory
    4096 MB DDR2-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On bord
After doing a clean install you must also do a (Refresh) to activate windows 8…

That's the work-around to activate a Win8 upgrade copy on a hard drive that lacks an OS that qualifies for the upgrade.

The OP didn't say what sort of Win8 license he (she/it/they) has. I'm not sure, but I'd expect to get a wrong license key type message before getting a key already in use message if an upgrade copy was used to install Win8 on a blank HD (without using the refresh trick).
It's a He and I used a upgrade. Basically, I need to reinstall Windows?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware x51
    Memory
    1TB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 204BW; Dell E173FP
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK520
    Mouse
    Logitech MK520
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG
If you do a clean install, after installing you will need to do a (refresh)
[FONT=&quot]In order to activate windows…[/FONT]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 & Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II X2 245
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H
    Memory
    4096 MB DDR2-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On bord
I did have it installed on another computer but, it was uninstalled. Do I wait to see If the system needs to gather information or do I need to reinstall? Btw, this is NOT the Inspirion 14z 2013.
I have seen reference to the message you get on this forum only once before. In that case, it appears that the one having the problem had unknowingly purchased a non-genuine copy of Win8, and the product key received apparently had been provided to at least one other in a prior sale. It was clear that the software acquired was not genuine because it gave an option not available on a genuine disc. I can't remember the option for sure. But, it either gave the option of installing 32 bit or 64 bit or the option of installing core or Pro.

I am not saying that's what happened to you. But, the existence of this situation lends credibility to the idea that you will have to activate via phone--one way or another. You could try the refresh procedure in Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade, but, under the circumstances, there is not much assurance that it will work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
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    PC/Desktop
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    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
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    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
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    EVGA 570 SC
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    Gateway
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    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
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    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
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    Cooler Master 932 HAF
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    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
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    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
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    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
But why? I doesn't need to be. It isn't in use

There is no explicit de-activation. The activation servers only have the information that the key was used.

You'll have to activate by phone. The first level is automated. If that fails, you ought to be referred to a human. Even then, the whole process should take less than ten minutes.
Do you know for a fact that MS knows that the same key has been used on another computer? Not doubting you; just tossing the idea around.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
But why? I doesn't need to be. It isn't in use

There is no explicit de-activation. The activation servers only have the information that the key was used.

You'll have to activate by phone. The first level is automated. If that fails, you ought to be referred to a human. Even then, the whole process should take less than ten minutes.
Do you know for a fact that MS knows that the same key has been used on another computer? Not doubting you; just tossing the idea around.

MS only knows when the computer is validated (such as Windows Update or any other Genuine Microsoft Software Downloads).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
There is no explicit de-activation. The activation servers only have the information that the key was used.

You'll have to activate by phone. The first level is automated. If that fails, you ought to be referred to a human. Even then, the whole process should take less than ten minutes.
Do you know for a fact that MS knows that the same key has been used on another computer? Not doubting you; just tossing the idea around.

MS only knows when the computer is validated (such as Windows Update or any other Genuine Microsoft Software Downloads).
Thanks. Do you mean that MS knows which specific computer is in use when activation occurs? Validated? Are you saying MS doesn't know when an attempt is made to use a key on a second computer for activation--where activation was successful on the first computer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Microsoft has a hardware hash of the system the key was activated on. If that changes, you need to call the automated number to get activated.

We bought some computers at work, and I installed an 8 pro pack on one of them. The computer was later returned. When I tried to use the pro pack key again, I got the same message that the key was already used. 1 call to Microsoft and the issue was resolved.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Thanks much--again. No substitute for personal experience--by a highly qualified observer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Microsoft has a hardware hash of the system the key was activated on. If that changes, you need to call the automated number to get activated.

We bought some computers at work, and I installed an 8 pro pack on one of them. The computer was later returned. When I tried to use the pro pack key again, I got the same message that the key was already used. 1 call to Microsoft and the issue was resolved.

Before I call up, Do I have to pay? and is the call automated? And BTW, thanks to pparks1 and znod for your words of wisdom. :D:dinesh:
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware x51
    Memory
    1TB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 204BW; Dell E173FP
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK520
    Mouse
    Logitech MK520
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG
you don't pay, it's a free call. It's an automated system. You will have to give them a code from your machine which will be a collection of 9 sections (a-b-c-d-e-f-g-h-i) which consist of 6 digits each. Once you give them this number, they will give you a number in return. You enter the key, click on Activate and it should just work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
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