Hi. I recently reinstalled Windows 11 on a new build PC with the understanding that I'd be able to transfer the license from my old PC. As it is I cannot activate windows on my new PC with this error: We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital licence or product key. If you think you do have a valid licence or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code: 0x803FA067 Context: Both PCs, old and new, were self builds Old PC is about 5 years old and has been through a reset The original windows licence was a WIndows 10 retail version which was subsequently updated to Windows 11. On the old PC, The Activation screen showed that: Windows is activated with a digital licence linked to your Microsoft Account I am logging into the new PC with the same user account as the licence was linked to on the old PC What I have tried: Following the 'changed hardware' troubleshooting steps, I get the following response: We can’t find any devices linked to your Microsoft account that can be used to reactivate the device that you’re using at the moment. Make sure that you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account that you linked to the Windows 10 digital licence on this device, or try again later. When I click 'See other devices linked to your Microsoft account', nothing is shown. (I can still see other devices through Settings > Accounts Linked Devices, including the old PC) Using a key that I'd recovered from my old PC before it was reset produces the same response and error code as above. I've logged support requests (4 since 20th October, which have all gone through a cycle of opened > Agent Assigned > Issue Resolved, with zero attempt at contact or actually resolving my issue. Note, I have screenshots to show all of the above info, but uploading them is failing. I'd be very grateful for some support as I don't have a path forward right now. Thanks Phil

Hi Phil, the reason I wanted to see it on the old device is to see if it was truly on digital license. The partial 3V66T is the last 5 of a generic key, and if you are using digital license, that's what it should be showing. So, that tells me that you indeed were on a digital license. And you indeed should be using the troubleshooter for activation to transfer. However, since it says it couldn't find the device with the digital license, it tells me that your Microsoft account wasn't properly linked, or the linkage with the device might be somewhat corrupted. Typically a relink process could address the issue, such as turning it into a local user, then adding it back. But since you have done a reset on the old, we wouldn't be able to do so. Do you mind though, setting up the old computer all the way with the Microsoft account, and let me know if it would activate on the old computer?

Not sure if it helps, but following your instructions on my new (not activated) PC appears to show that *something* has been recognised? Software licensing service version: 10.0.26100.2161 Name: Windows(R), Professional edition Description: Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel Activation ID: 4de7cb65-cdf1-4de9-8ae8-e3cce27b9f2c Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f Extended PID: 03612-03308-000-000000-00-2057-26100.0000-3062024 Product Key Channel: Retail Installation ID: 5905994989828587881467934126906313051876709451602119528596156 03 Use License URL: https://activation-v2.sls.microsoft.com/SLActivateProduct/SLActivateProd uct.asmx?configextension=Retail Validation URL: https://validation-v2.sls.microsoft.com/SLWGA/slwga.asmx Partial Product Key: 3V66T License Status: Notification Notification Reason: 0xC004F034. Remaining Windows rearm count: 1001 Remaining SKU rearm count: 1001 Trusted time: 04/11/2024 14:04:39 FYI, the 'Partial Product Key' is a match for the product key I attempted to use from the old pc. Thanks Phil

Hi. Thanks for responding. The old PC has been reset. I did this after reading that it might 'release' the licence. So, I could go through the start up process again for this PC... would that work to get the info you're looking for? Cheers Phil

Hello, this is Emily. On the old PC, Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command: slmgr /dlv Then share a screenshot please. (don't use the upload, instead, just paste it directly in the reply). Thanks!!

Windows Activation issue after hardware change

Anonymous

Hi.

I recently reinstalled Windows 11 on a new build PC with the understanding that I'd be able to transfer the license from my old PC. As it is I cannot activate windows on my new PC with this error:

We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital licence or product key. If you think you

do have a valid licence or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code: 0x803FA067

Context:

Both PCs, old and new, were self builds
Old PC is about 5 years old and has been through a reset
The original windows licence was a WIndows 10 retail version which was subsequently updated to Windows 11.
On the old PC, The Activation screen showed that: Windows is activated with a digital licence linked to your Microsoft Account
I am logging into the new PC with the same user account as the licence was linked to on the old PC

What I have tried:

Following the 'changed hardware' troubleshooting steps, I get the following response:
- We can’t find any devices linked to your Microsoft account that can be used to reactivate the device that you’re using at the moment. Make sure that you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account that you linked to the Windows 10 digital licence on this device, or try again later.
- When I click 'See other devices linked to your Microsoft account', nothing is shown. (I can still see other devices through Settings > Accounts Linked Devices, including the old PC)
Using a key that I'd recovered from my old PC before it was reset produces the same response and error code as above.
I've logged support requests (4 since 20th October, which have all gone through a cycle of opened > Agent Assigned > Issue Resolved, with zero attempt at contact or actually resolving my issue.

Note, I have screenshots to show all of the above info, but uploading them is failing.

I'd be very grateful for some support as I don't have a path forward right now.

Thanks

Phil

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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EmilyS726 233.2K Independent Advisor

Yep, check the box, then click on "activate", and it will then ask you where you want to activate to next. This "activate" button is super misleading imo. I wish they would simply call it Next.

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EmilyS726 233.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2024-11-04T14:19:20+00:00

Hi Phil, the reason I wanted to see it on the old device is to see if it was truly on digital license. The partial 3V66T is the last 5 of a generic key, and if you are using digital license, that's what it should be showing.

So, that tells me that you indeed were on a digital license. And you indeed should be using the troubleshooter for activation to transfer. However, since it says it couldn't find the device with the digital license, it tells me that your Microsoft account wasn't properly linked, or the linkage with the device might be somewhat corrupted. Typically a relink process could address the issue, such as turning it into a local user, then adding it back.

But since you have done a reset on the old, we wouldn't be able to do so.

Do you mind though, setting up the old computer all the way with the Microsoft account, and let me know if it would activate on the old computer?
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Anonymous

2024-11-04T14:11:09+00:00

Not sure if it helps, but following your instructions on my new (not activated) PC appears to show that *something* has been recognised?

Software licensing service version: 10.0.26100.2161

Name: Windows(R), Professional edition

Description: Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel

Activation ID: 4de7cb65-cdf1-4de9-8ae8-e3cce27b9f2c

Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f

Extended PID: 03612-03308-000-000000-00-2057-26100.0000-3062024

Product Key Channel: Retail Installation ID: 5905994989828587881467934126906313051876709451602119528596156 03

Use License URL: https://activation-v2.sls.microsoft.com/SLActivateProduct/SLActivateProd uct.asmx?configextension=Retail

Validation URL: https://validation-v2.sls.microsoft.com/SLWGA/slwga.asmx

Partial Product Key: 3V66T

License Status: Notification Notification Reason: 0xC004F034.

Remaining Windows rearm count: 1001

Remaining SKU rearm count: 1001

Trusted time: 04/11/2024 14:04:39

FYI, the 'Partial Product Key' is a match for the product key I attempted to use from the old pc.

Thanks

Phil
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Anonymous

2024-11-04T14:04:19+00:00

Hi. Thanks for responding.

The old PC has been reset. I did this after reading that it might 'release' the licence.

So, I could go through the start up process again for this PC... would that work to get the info you're looking for?

Cheers

Phil
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EmilyS726 233.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2024-11-04T13:32:20+00:00

Hello, this is Emily.

On the old PC, Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

slmgr /dlv

Then share a screenshot please. (don't use the upload, instead, just paste it directly in the reply). Thanks!!
Was this answer helpful?

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Windows Activation issue after hardware change

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