You can see on my old SSD device, which is still linked to my account, that I have a windows 11 professional licence attached to it which should be linked to my account.
Cannot activate windows are reinstalling windows on new SSD
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(163.2, 51%, 25%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ETR%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tom Rapley
0
Reputation points
I've reinstalled windows on a new SSD, but when I try and activate windows on my new SSD it says I cannot activate it as we cant find any devices linked to my microsoft account that can be used to activate windows 10, even though I have a windows 11 licence attached to my account from my old SSD. Can someone please help?
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
3 answers
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Tom Rapley 0 Reputation points
2026-08-29T19:44:54.23+00:00 -
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(204.8, 96%, 29%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3END%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Neil D 34,110 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2026-08-30T08:52:48.93+00:00 The record of the device shown on your account does not confirm the activation status or whether the licence is valid. (I reaslise you have been using it previously)
We really need to know the history of the Windows 10 Pro licence as that may affect what has happened when you clean installed.
- Did you buy the Windows 10 Pro licence separate from the device. (if so was it from Microsoft)
- Do you have a product key that came with the purchase of the licence. (if you bought it)
- Was it provided by the system builder or manufacturer as a Windows 10 Pro licence.
- Was it originally part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.
To get more detail about the licence get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store and post a screenshot of the licence detail. click any product keys to show all but the last 5 chatacters.
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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(256, 10%, 34%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EIL%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Igor Leyko 112K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-08-30T12:49:38.1933333+00:00 I see that your Windows is activated. What is the problem?
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Igor Leyko 112K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-29T20:25:34.27+00:00 How did you purchase Windows license and what is its exact name?
Did you try to re-enter your product key?
Please show Activation page of Settings.
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Tom Rapley 0 Reputation points
2026-08-30T07:47:18.9366667+00:00 I cannot remember my product key, I bought my windows 10 licence over 6 years ago and upgraded to 11 at some point.
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Neil D 34,110 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-08-30T13:10:21.22+00:00 As per the previous answer your status is showing the system is activated. Why do you think there is a problem?
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Tom Rapley 0 Reputation points
2026-08-30T13:12:08.8766667+00:00 Hi, that is on my old SSD, I was showing that the licence is attached to my Microsoft account.
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Neil D 34,110 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-08-30T13:20:19.12+00:00 Sorry it looks like we both misunderstood. (you mean your old HDD)
Please provide an image of ShowKeyPlus on the old HDD.
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