Windows 11 Activation

Question

Hi there,

I purchased a new windows lenovo laptop on 09/2024. It came with windows 11 home. I directly installed Ubuntu and wiped out whatever was in the laptop.

Question 1: How do I find out what is the windows 11 home key that came with laptop? Is it that I need to install windows 11 to get to see the key? is there any other way?

I also purchased a new windows 11 PRO key**.**

Question 2: I created 2 VMs in the new linux laptop. I would like to activate windows 11 home (the same key that came with the laptop) for VM1 and for VM2 I would like to use the windows 11 pro key. When i tried to activate windows in one of the VM - it gave a vague error -- something like --oops cant activate or does not recognize something like that.

i did use my email. Is there a way to log into microsoft online and see list of computers im associated with my email and assign activation keys that i pro. so incase if i switch or reformat laptops , i would like the valid keys (only 1 key for each laptop)

I wonder how to transfer key from one laptop to another so its used only on 1 laptop.

Answer 1

You are welcome.

The OEM key works for a "physical" install instance, not the virtual instance. That's why it will not work in the VM on the same device.

Q3: If motherboard dies and you replace it, OEM key is gone. If you have a retail key you purchase, you can absolutely transfer it.

Q4: Unfortunately it is not possible to downgrade from Pro to Home. Upgrading path is supported, but not downgrading path. In that scenario, a clean install is a must.

Answer 2

Thanks for the information. If I understand it right, the OEM OS key is attached to motherboard and will not work on the same motherboard running the VM on the same laptop running linux? Any idea why is that? since that OEM key gets wasted. Anyway im ok to buy a new key for VM.

Q3: So if few yrs down the line, if motherboard dies and gets replaced how to map the key to the replacement mother board? or if the current laptop dies and i decide to assembly my own this laptop/desktop I cant reuse the key? since anyway im only using the 1 active win 11 copy.

Reg pro license. its entire full license. i ll get more info on this later.

Q4: On another incident, i purchased a laptop which came with win 11 home, -- using change key i keyed in pro and it worked for few weeks fine as pro and but then one day the the laptop had hardware issues so wanted to customer care wanted to return it. I tried to downgrade it back to OEM keys before returning the laptop but it wouldnt downgrade (i was ok with data loss as well like ok to disable any win pro features used) but again i got the same error oops can not activate or can not recognize the keys or something in those lines.

Answer 3

Hello, this is Emily.

You will have to install Windows to get the license key, however, getting the license key, which is an OEM type, is meaningless in your case. OEM license is locked to the motherboard. When you install Windows for example, it will be picked up automatically. In fact, it is not meant to be entered manually.

So, that said, you cannot use the OEM key in VM because it is locked to the motherboard, and it can be used on a physical instance only, not a virtual instance.

You said you had trouble activating it, are you referring to the Pro license? Did you purchase the entire pro license, or just the upgrade license? Are you trying to do an upgrade and active from Windows home edition?