Windows 10 Windows 10 Activation via Microsoft Account

[JoeDiGiovanni]

I tried to follow these instructions on the Microsoft help page for Windows 10 activation.


To use the Activation troubleshooter:

1. 
   Sign in as an administrator. For more info, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.
   
   
2. 
   Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot . The troubleshooter will show Windows can’t be activated on your device.
   
   Open Activation settings
   
   
3. 
   Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then select Next.
   
   
4. 
   Enter your connected Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in. The troubleshooter will only work with the connected Microsoft account.
   
   
5. 
   From the list of devices that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the check box next to This is the device I’m using right now.
   
   
6. 
   Select Activate.
   

However, Step 3 opens a window labeled Microsoft Account but then says The request was blocked. Underneath is a very long hex string.


Any ideas? No other method works. We had functional, activated Windows 10 Pro on older hardware. My son took a screenshot of the Windows 10 product key on the old hardware. Then he ran the slmgr /upk to uninstall the key from the old hardware's Windows 10. Then we used a USB with Windows 10 Pro installer on it (created using Microsoft's tool) to install WIndows 10 Pro on a new SSD. Now we're stuck unable to activate Windows 10 Pro.


The path of OS over the years was Windows 8.1 purchased with media and installed on the old hardware. Then I upgraded for free to Windows 10 Pro. Then we got the new hardware and that's where we are stuck.


Microsoft says the product key we had from the old hardware is not valid. Hmmm. It worked fine on that hardware. Can anyone help?

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