Windows activation error

Question

I have a Windows pro license linked to my Microsoft account, I recently bought the new surface laptop 7 and wanted to transfer the key to the new laptop. I tried but could not transfer the license. I searched online and one of the options I found was to use a generic windows pro key and then try activating with my microsoft account. Now I cannot activate the windows pro, and my laptop is giving me warnings that my windows in not genuine. I am getting the error code 0x80072EE7. How can I solve this issue.

Answer 1

Ok, in this case, you will need to get in touch with Microsoft support. Because the old device is no longer listed in your Msft account, you practically "lost" that digital license.

I am sure you have purchase record in your Msft account, right? That's all you need to proof your purchase when you get in touch with support. They can help you manually activate. In the future, if you have to transfer license again, make sure you never remove the old device in your Msft account.

On your computer, launch the Get Help app from the start menu, then type in Activation as the keyword. On the next page, you can click on "Contact support" button. Then fill out a few more details and you will be directed to the page where you will have the option to request a call back. The support option is menu driven, so you can also put it Windows Settings for example as keyword, and choose technical issue for example to get the chat option to come up in case you prefer chat.

Answer 2

Hi Emily,

No unfortunately it prompts me to buy a new license.

Answer 3

Thank you Hamid, for the detail information.

If the old device has been removed from your Microsoft account, then there's no way you can use the troubleshooter to transfer license - that route only works when you didn't remove the old device yet.

On your new device, if you go to the Microsoft store app, search for Windows 11 Pro, click on Learn More when found, does it give you the option to install?

Answer 4

Hi Emily,

Thanks for the response.

I purchased the license and upgraded the windows from Home to Pro on my previous laptop. I have tried the solution you proposed and this is the message I get after I click on hardware change option.

Below is a screenshot from my Microsoft account which no longer shows my old laptop and only my new laptop is listed as the device linked to the account. I am still not able to activate the windows:

I hope there is a solution to this problem which does not involve reinstalling windows.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Best

Hamid

Answer 5

Hello, this is Emily.

When you said the license is linked to your Microsoft account - to be exact, did you purchase that license, or did it come with the old device?

If it came with the device, you cannot transfer it, whether it is linked to your Microsoft account or not.

But if you purchased it, on the new device, go to Settings > System > Activation, run the troubleshooter, choose the hardware change option. When it asks you where it is installed on right now, you should choose the old device name. Then click on Activate button. And on the next screen when it asks you where to transfer it to, choose your new device name. See if that does the trick.