When did you last run System File Checker?

[RJ Johnston]

To make a long story shorter: I just installed a new version of Windows 10, then Vegas Pro 17, then some favorite plugins. I used some of my favorite plugins. Something immediately corrupts my system files, but on the surface everything seems okay. I check the CBS.log file after running SFC /SCANNOW. There are many entries in the log showing various types of corruption to Windows Defender and Powershell files. I do the DISM thingy.

This was a very stressful ordeal.

The end.

[Steve Grisetti]

I followed you about 3/4 of the way through the story, Robert. You lost me after read the Scannow report.

Was this a story with a happy ending?

[Peru]

You lost me after read the Scannow report.

See here, Steve:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/hel ... -readiness

[RJ Johnston]

Was this a story with a happy ending?

Steve, there really is no end to the story. If there was an ending, then it wasn't very happy. But I have learned a few things about repairing system files, and that you can't rely on backups when it comes time to do a restore. It cost me $140 for a new Windows 10 license, and I had to expend a one TB disk drive.

[Peru]

Why did you need a new license?

[RJ Johnston]

Why did you need a new license?

I had an OEM computer with Windows without serial number.

Every time I tried restoring from my backups, there was an error at the end of the process. I couldn't repair the operating system and then I couldn't reformat the drive. Replaced drive and needed software and key for Windows setup. Finally got version 1903.

[Peru]

I was under the impression that with Windows 10, once it was installed and activated once, that you didn't need a serial number. If you only replaced the hard drive and not the mobo or processor, it should automatically reactivate without a serial number.

You can download a Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft:
https://www.howtogeek.com/427223/how-to ... tion-tool/

[RJ Johnston]

Peru,
If I ever need to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows 10, I'll see what happens if I don't enter a key during setup. Not sure it would work on the OEM machine because it was originally installed with Windows 8. If I tried to install Windows 10 without a key, it would probably fail.

[Chris B]

I was under the impression that with Windows 10, once it was installed and activated once, that you didn't need a serial number.

You can check that under the "Activation" settings. The various statuses are given here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/hel ... 0-activate