In addition to the above, If it's a "backup copy" of windows, trying an official iso. I've had bad copies get suck at installed and never work no matter what I did.
There's a way to pull the windows product key from the BIOS using Linux too. Quick search will give you the command. I've bought used lenovo minis for my self hosed k8s env and save the win keys if I ever need a windows VM for something.
I lurked on reddit for years. I was lurking here for a couple weeks now but thought I should make an account to contribute. Reddit has gone down hill and I'll never go back.