Can not activate windows, recognizes the wrong device.

Question

I've wiped and reinstalled windows on my computer several times in the past week with no issues. For some reason yesterday when I did it my windows 10 home failed to activate through my Microsoft account (I have no key it has to go through my account).

When I use the activation troubleshooting it gives me an error 0xc004f213 and shows me the incorrect device with the wrong version of windows (an old computer of mine with windows 10 pro).

I tried upgrading from windows 10 to 11 but have the same issue.

I unlinked the device from my account but it still recognizes the wrong device with the wrong version of windows on it.

I tried calling support but they said they couldn't remove the wrong device from my account. She used Quick Assist to try the activation troubleshoot, putting in a default windows key and finally reinstalling windows 11 which none of it worked.

I'm not not very tech savvy but this seems to be on Microsoft's side of things. My computer is literally telling me it's trying to activate the wrong computer with the wrong version of windows. Also on my Microsoft account it shows the correct device with the correct windows.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, sometimes BIOS update has a minor error and may change hardware identifiers, So Windows thinks this is another PC. Purchase through the Store gives you a license tied to hardware; this is why you did not get a product key. The Store sends an information about your purchase directly to the activation servers so there is no need to use a key.

You may contact Microsoft support in attempt to reactivate your Windows. Sorry for the bad news.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/

Answer 2

I did update my bios! I did not think about that.

On my Microsoft account it recognizes my computer under Devices with the correct information after updating the bios though.

Answer 3

Did you change some hardware after purchase? Could it be you've used some hardware ID (HWID) changing software? Did you update a BIOS?

Answer 4

I purchased Windows 10/11 Home November 11, 2021 through the Microsoft store. I can look up the purchase on my Microsoft account.

Answer 5

Hi Alex,

My name is Igor, it's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll do all my best to help you.

Please tell how you purchased this Windows license and why do you have not a product key.

Please note, Microsoft account does not store information about user's licenses and product keys.