I have never created a USB security key - so how can I get Windows 11 to stop requesting it?

Question

I have never created a USB security key for Windows 11. However, Windows will occasionally pop up a message asking me to insert a USB security key (for instance, this happened yesterday when I tried to generate a new ssh key in git bash). These interuptions are preventing me from getting work done.

I sign in as a local adminstrator, and my user account is not associated with a Microsoft account.

No one else uses the laptop, and there are no other user accounts.

The laptop is a SurfacePro 5 running Windows 11 Pro version 22H2.

It is not managed by a school or workplace.

If I go to Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in options -> Security key -> Manage it will ask me to insert my security key into a USB port, which, obviously, I cannot do becasue I have never created one.

Although my Microsoft account is not associated with my user account on the device - if I sign in to my Microsoft account in a browser and select Security -> Advanced security options -> Ways to prove who you are I see nothing pertaining to USB security keys - because I have never created one!

How can I stop Windows from requesting a USB security key, please?

***Post moved by the moderator to the appropriate forum category.***

Answer 1

Hi Martin Cooke1,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community. We're sorry for the trouble this has caused you.

I am aware that your Surface Pro is giving you difficulties since it keeps asking you to insert a USB security key even though you haven't made a USB recovery key. Let us work on this together. I value the time and effort you have given out, especially in trying to resolve the problem.

Kindly try to open Device Manager and expand the contents of the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category. See if you have the USB security key driver, if it's showing on the list select Uninstall from the context menu then restart your Surface to see if problem persist.

If that doesn't work, check this article and follow the solution from this article Set up a security key as your verification method - Microsoft Support. Navigate to "Delete a security key from your security info".

Let me know how it goes.

Kind regards,

Lavenia

Answer 2

Hi Lavenia,

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

In Device Manager under Universal Serial Bus controllers, I only see two entries: Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller, and USB Root Hub. There is no USB security key driver.

I followed the link that you provided and navigated to the section "Delete a security key from your security info", but unfortunately this prompts you to first follow the instructions in the "Reset a security key" section which start by instructing you to:

1. Open the Windows Settings app, select Accounts, select Sign-in options, select Security Key, and then select Manage.
2. Insert your security key into the USB port...

I cannot complete step two becasue I do not have a USB security key.

If anyone is able to provice further advice on how to fix this issue it would be appreciated.

Kind regards,

Martin

Answer 3

You're welcome, Martin Cooke1. We're sorry if none of the suggested solution works.

Click Accounts in the Settings app.

• Is there a work or school email address shown in "Emails and Accounts"?
• How about in "Access Work or School" is there any account link to it?
• Are you a member of the Windows Insider program? As you have mentioned you are running Windows 11. See Which Surface devices can be upgraded to Windows 11? - Microsoft Support.

Answer 4

Hi,

There is no work or school email address shown in "Email and Accounts" and there is no account linked in "Access Work or School".

I am not a member of the Windows insider program.

It's curious to see that the Surface Pro 5 is not listed as supporting Windows 11. I bought the device (including operating system) earlier this year from a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher and it came pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, as advertised by the seller. Aside from the system occasionally requesting a USB security key everything appears to be working. Do you think this is the cause of the problem?

I would be fine with the device running Windows 10 instead. Is there a way that I can downgrade to Windows 10 Pro using the same product key to activate a Windows 10 Pro licence? I have all of my documents backed up so I could do a fresh install if needed.

I just installed ShowKeyPlus to view my product key, and it lists both an Installed key and an OEM key. The keys are different and the Installed key has an asterisk which denotes "Default key - requires a Digital License for activation". Also, it lists the Product Name as "Windows 11 Pro" but the OEM Edition as "Win 10 RTM Professional OEM:DM".

In Settings -> System -> Activation it reports "Windows 11 Pro" and under Activation state it says "Windows is activated with a digital licence". I'm a bit confused by the digital license. Researching this online I found the following: "Windows digital license is associated with your computer hardware and is normally linked to your Microsoft account. When your PC is connected to the internet and you log in to your Microsoft account, your PC will be activated." But I have never linked the device the or local user account to my Microsoft account, so where is the digital license stored?

Thanks,

Martin

Answer 5

A digital license (also called a digital entitlement in Windows) is a method of activation in Windows that doesn’t require you to enter a product key. If the license came pre-installed on your PC, you could use it to re-install Windows on that PC any number of times. It is different from the Windows product key, which is a 25-character code used to activate Windows.

It would be more beneficial for you to reach out our live support team so they can check your device remotely. There might be something they can do prior downgrading your device to Windows 10 as they have the option to check your device remotely. You may reach them by following the instructions below.

1. Go to Contact Us - Microsoft Support
2. Choose how you would like to get support for your Surface device.
3. Type in the problem you need help with.
4. Look at any available solutions offered and select Contact Support.