Broken license, again...

This is the third time Ive been hit by this bug in the last couple years, this time with the newest version (2017.3). Upgraded windows (from 7 to 8.1) and now i have to reset the license. Both automatic and manual methods fail, the launcher never reaches the activation success/start unity screen. Ive tried all the tricks, deleting all folders and reinstalling, changing time zones, deleting license file and nothing works. Even tried installing unity 5 to reactivate and that failed. Super frustrated at being locked out of a FREE program by ANTI-PIRACY measures. Cant even work offline. If i lose days of work, again, waiting for unity support im going to flip out.

 

Never fails, post about a problem and I'll solve it 5 minutes later. Not even sure 100% what i did, but some combination of admin mode, changing time zone and deleting files fixed it, for now.