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Among other options, installing and updating Windows 10 with ISO files has its own meaning. The ISO file can be used for a fresh installation, repair upgrade, or edition upgrade.
In the case of the latter two, users reported a hurdle where the installation starts fine, but after the “We get some stuff done” screen, they get the following error:
The setup program could not validate the product key
Now we can't do anything other than reinstall at this point, even though the system can be rebooted to the original settings.
Workaround for Windows 10 installation failed to validate product key
1. Extract the Windows 10 ISO setup file using unzip software like 7-zip.
2 Open Notepad.
3. Enter/copy the following content to the new file:
[EditionID] [Channel] Retail [VL] 0
Now save the file as “ei.cfg” and select Save as type under All Files. Be sure to save this file in the source folder of the ISO configuration file.
Run the setup.exe file to start the setup wizard or create the bootable USB for a clean install. This time, the error should not occur.
Delete temporary files
Perhaps we could solve the problem by emptying the Windows> Temp folder. You can either use File Explorer or press Windows Key + R and enter the temperature and press Enter. Press Ctrl + A to point to all the files in the Windows Temp folder, then click Delete.
(*10*)Run Microsoft System File Checker.
Microsoft System File Checker is a useful and built-in utility that can scan and recover damaged files in Windows.
Use the Disk Cleanup utility
If you clean your computer regularly, your hard drive space will be freed up and it will perform better. One of the simplest ways to clean up files you no longer need is to use Disk Cleanup.
- Open Hard Drive Cleanup by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type Clean Disk, then from the list of results, select Clean Disk.
- When prompted, select the drive you want to clean and click OK.
- In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, in the Description section, select Clean up system files.
- When prompted, select the drive you want to clean and click OK.
- In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, on the Disk Cleanup tab, select the check boxes corresponding to the types of files you want to delete, and then click OK. To erase data from a previous Windows installation, select the Previous Windows Installations check box.
- In the message that appears, select Delete files.
- In File Explorer, go back to your computer, select the drive you cleaned up, and then select Refresh. If you need more space (the reader is always highlighted in red), skip to the next tip.
Then proceed as follows:
- Press the Windows + X button
- Click on the Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type each command at the command prompt, then tap Access when the scan is complete.)
- Dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / CheckHealth
- Dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth
- Dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth
Disable Third Party AV
If you use a third-party security package that tends to be overprotective, it may break the connection between the update and external servers.
If this scenario applies to you and you are using a third-party suite that might affect the update, you should try the update again after disabling or uninstalling the potential antivirus manager.
If you are in this situation, first turn off real-time protection and check if the update is successful. Basically click the icon on your AV's taskbar and look for an option that disables real-time protection.
https://superuser.com/questions/947130/windows-10-setup-has-failed-to-validate-the-product-key
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix Windows errors and get the most out of your system performance
