MS365 Premium Win11 Digital License prevents Activating Win11 Pro for Workstation Key

Question

Installed Win11 with the ISO image, choosing Windows 11 Pro for Workstation

During OOB setup, signed in with my MS365 work account.

Went to activate Windows with my key, but it was already activated with a digital license

Tried to change the activation key, it would accept the key, but staid activated with Business edition of windows.

Is there any way to activate the Workstation edition of windows once it's been activated with the MS365 digital license?

I had to purchase the Workstation edition with a personal MS account. Why can't work accounts purchase MS products yet? It's a complete nightmare to manage these accounts for things like this!

*** Moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Licensing and activation ***

Answer 1

It turns out it is activating, but the business subscription is disabling any workstation edition features. Trying to create a storage spaces volume with ReFS as the file system returns a file system not supported error.

I've tried unchecking Windows Business licensing from my user account, but the digital subscription remains.

A clean install without joining the workstation to EntraID/MDM and activating with the key works as expected.

Either one or both of the following needs to happen.

1. Fix the conflict between a business subscription/workstation dual activation
2. Provide the ability to exclude a device or security group in MS365 from using and activating digital subscriptions.

Also, instructions for disabling the digital license so the workstation license works correctly.

I've also tested 23H2 along with 24H2, both have the same behavior.

Answer 2

Microsoft is NOT TO BE TRUSTED. They have designed their business without any care or respect for the end-user, and the debacle I just went through support is proof. The TLDR is DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY on Windows Pro 11 for Workstation Edition. It's obviously a half-baked idea that Micrsoft has no intention of seeing through or supporting.

Open a case with Micrsoft 365 support since the Win 11 Business digital subscription license comes from that service. They say, nope you need to get support from the consumer activation team.

After 5 requests and only two callbacks. The answer was, first they can't support or do anything about it. " Did you submit feedback", yes I did that already and that's not going to solve anything. "Will the problem is coming from the business unit you need to get support with them", yes i did that and look at the email they sent me with specific instructions to call you. "Oh, Well they should not have done that", yes I know!

After discussing with a manager, their solution was to NOT use my work account with Workstation Edition and instead use the personal MS account I had to use in order to purchase Workstation "A business product I'll mention". Well, of course that's going to work, but please tell me where this incompatibility is documented. "Well, I can't do that"

I ordered this on Nov 15th and over a month later, I cannot use an AzureAD, Intune managed Windows workstation and use ReFS.

So, I give up and call the MS Store number to get a refund.

AI Voice: Is this a consumer or business product

Consumer

AI Which Product

Refund for windows.

AI Please go to a webpage that only discusses Xbox and Subscription returns, goodbye!

Call again; AI: to process a refund go to this url, goodbye, hangs up

Call from a different number, go through business, and fight for a refund.

Why oh why Microsoft, do you sell a product designed for a business user through the consumer store and then when you have issues with business features deny any support because you can only get consumer support with anything purchased through the online store.

This is a bad joke and a SCAM!

Just to make sure I didn't miss anything; I log into my Ingram Micro account and search for licensing options and the only thing available for workstation is an OEM license.

I don't know who they thought would be using the Workstation Edition of Windows, but it's certainly not business users.

The countdown to ditching Microsoft all together and adopting Linux for my desktop draws closer.

Microsoft does not care anymore. They've always been money focused, but the products, there policies and their support has never been as bad as it is now.