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How to talk to a person about activation issues?

Anonymous
2024-02-26T21:46:47+00:00

I have a Windows Pro license that I have had for 10 years, upgrading from 7 -> 8 -> 10 and now 11 without issues. I have proof of purchase.

I upgraded the BIOS on my motherboard and the TPM keys were wiped. This is an extremely common issue that Microsoft knows about. But this isn't the issue - the issue is how impossible it is to speak to a person about this.

The Get Help app never has the option to speak to a support agent. It only has the first option to request a call back, or the second option to get fed around the self-help article loop over and over again, which tells you to run the Activation Troubleshooter which obviously doesn't work because it detects the hardware as different (which it's not).

The support website tells me to use the Get Help app to get the phone number to call for activation, which leads to an incredible bug where the accordion component isn't clickable so you can't see the details. Nothing happens when you click it.

I tried calling the Global Support number listed on https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/global-customer-service-phone-numbers-c0389ade-5640-e588-8b0e-28de8afeb3f2 for United Kingdom (business users btw - notice the disdain for home users who are just sent into the infinite loop of the website above). As soon as I tell the automated system that I have a problem with activation, it tells me to go to the website and hangs up. Even if I lie and tell it I'm a business user, it still hangs up because I don't have a volume licensing support contract.

Every time I request a call back, I give my UK mobile number, but no one ever calls me and someone closes the support ticket at some unspecified point later. It's been a month and I'm onto the fourth one, which has been open for a week and doesn't even have an agent assigned. Maybe the calls are being blocked somehow??

What is happening? I have wasted at least 10 hours of my life on this clicking different combinations of broken and buggy links trying to get out of the loop and speak to someone.

I have tried every combination of arguments to slmgr.exe but it's a waste of time since my license upgraded to a digital one at Windows 10 time, and is now tied to my Microsoft account, so my product key is generic.

The only solution is to speak to a human being, but how?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-02-26T22:24:43+00:00

    Hi,

    My name is Igor, it's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll try to help you.

    Sorry, we are just other users answering here neither Microsoft employees nor support persons, so we have no influence on Microsoft decisions or Microsoft behavior.

    Unfortunately, Microsoft closed incoming support line for home users few years ago.

    You may try to chat with Microsoft support using the following procedure.

    In the search bar, type (without quotes) "agent support" and press Enter or click on Get Help. Do not pay attention to the search results, but click on the "Contact Support" button at the bottom. On the next page, select "Windows" and "Technical Support" from the drop-down lists, then click on "Confirm". Select "Chat with a support agent in your web browser", at the next page enter your email address and click on "Confirm". A chat window will open in a new tab. In the upper right corner, open the list of languages, where you can choose the most convenient language for you to communicate. Wait for the operator's response.

    P.S. The chat is available during business hours and on business days according to US time. Keep this in mind when contacting.

    P.P.S. But please note, in 2023 Microsoft blocked the possibility of Windows 10/11 activation using Windows 7/8 product keys.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-02-28T21:59:45+00:00

    Glad to be helpful. If you don't have any more questions, feel free to choose a rating and have a great day!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2024-02-28T21:56:44+00:00

    In the search bar, type (without quotes) "agent support" and press Enter or click on Get Help. Do not pay attention to the search results, but click on the "Contact Support" button at the bottom. On the next page, select "Windows" and "Technical Support" from the drop-down lists, then click on "Confirm". Select "Chat with a support agent in your web browser", at the next page enter your email address and click on "Confirm". A chat window will open in a new tab. In the upper right corner, open the list of languages, where you can choose the most convenient language for you to communicate. Wait for the operator's response.

    This is 100% the correct answer! I was able to web chat with a support agent who verified my product key, then used Quick Assist to remote into my computer and sort it.

    I understand what you mean about digital being simply an activation method now, as I had to give her the product key that I upgraded to Windows 10 with.

    Thanks so much for the help Igor.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-02-26T23:17:30+00:00

    Please tell the final result.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-02-26T22:26:22+00:00

    P.P.P.S. You license could not be upgraded to digital one because digital license is not a license at all, it is just activation method.

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