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My Dell Alienware was upgraded and the Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro Workstation. I replaced a SATA HD, but the Booting drive reset and reinstalled "Windows 11 Enterprise" that is "not activated"?

Anonymous
2023-12-31T17:27:41+00:00

Hi Microsoft Community,

I bought a Dell Refurbished Alienware Area 51 R7 from Dell in June of 2020. I upgraded the Windows Operating System from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro Workstation on June 30, 2020. I had a Hard Drive (D Drive SATA) that went out in November of 2023 and my Dell Premium Support sent me, and I replaced the SATA Hard Drive. My C Drive, the SSD and booting drive, reset itself and reinstalled the Windows 10 as Windows 10 Home Operating System. It asked me if I wanted to go to Windows 11 at no cost. I did that, and now I have a "Windows 11 Enterprise" Operating System that is "not activated". I spent 2+ hours on the phone with my Dell Premium Support Technician and he could not change or activate the Operating System (Windows 11 Enterprise). The Dell Premium Support Technician recommended that I call Microsoft Support because Dell doesn't have any Windows Operating System "Product Key". I "verbally" talked with a Microsoft Technician, and she told me to call the Microsoft Store and use my Order Number when I upgraded from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro Workstations. I want to go back to Windows 10 Pro Workstation Operating System, or upgrade that to Windows 11 Pro Workstation Operating System. I don't have a Windows Operating System "Product Key", which I guess is a "Digital Product Key". I have an Order Number and a Receipt from the Microsoft Store when I upgraded my Operating System from Windows10 Home to Windows 10 Pro Workstation (June 30, 2020). I have gone through the Microsoft Store Support and just get links and recording technicians that don't help me out. I have entered the Installation ID number (9 sections of 7-digit numbers) and the Recording Lady says that didn't work, please call back some other time (&*%$^#). Do you have any recommendations??

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-31T18:02:08+00:00

    Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    This is a common problem

    Very Important - disconnect totally from the Internet

    Open the Settings App (Gear icon on your Starr Menu)

    Go to Update and Security - Activation

    Click Change Product key

    Enter this generic product key: DXG7C-N36C4-C4HTG-X4T3X-2YV77

    When prompted, click 'Activate Product'

    If the above does not work first time, restart your PC and try again.

    Note the generic key will cause Enterprise to downgrade to the Pro for Workstation edition, then your own legal licence will activate automatically after you restart (not shut down) your PC

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-01-01T04:05:19+00:00

    Hi DaveM121,

    You are the MAN !!!! Thanks, it seems to work. I'm back on Windows 11 Pro Workstations. Thanks for your help, talk soon.

    Smittygeo10

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