Support for Activation

Question

Is there any way to contact a human being without a phone call within Microsoft??? Why do they make it so confusing? Im trying to transfer a retail license of Windows 11 Pro I bought over to a new laptop and its giving me an error code when i try to do it (0xc004f050) and theres nothing that shows up. I bought and activated on a new laptop recently and had to replace that laptop because there was something wrong with it. I dont think I re-armed it. The device Im currently on has an OEM Windows Home license.

Answer 1

Hello

If your device has an OEM home license, do this first: You can go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key

Disconnect internet, and disable any third party antivirus, key in the generic key instead: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

That should get you to Pro. Once restarted, you can connect back to the internet, sign into your Microsoft account. See if it is activated.

Otherwise, 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.

Answer 2

Did you make sure to do it while the internet is disconnected? That's a very important step.

If you indeed already disconnected internet, do a repair install first (it is not a factory reset, all apps/files are kept), and then repeat the initial instruction I gave you.

To perform a repair installation of Windows 11 using the Windows Media Creation Tool:

The following steps should be done on a working Windows computer:

Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 click on the "download now" button under "Create Windows 11 Installation Media"

Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC."

Choose "USB flash drive" as the media to use for the installation and select "Next."

Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space to your computer.

Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then select "Next."

The tool will then download the required files and create the installation media.

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Now these steps will  be done on your problematic computer:

Go to the USB drive via File Explorer, locate and run the Setup.exe file. Ideally, you should disconnect all USB and Bluetooth devices other than mouse and keyboard. Disable any 3rd party antivirus program. Disconnect the internet.

Once you run the Setup.exe file, choose the Install option, and the choose the option that keeps your files and apps.

Answer 3

I see.. then it is possible it wasn't on digital license but actual 25 digits key. In that case, the key needs to be uninstalled first on the old device.

That means, your only option now is via Microsoft support unfortunately. You do not need another license, but since have proof of purchase, you can ask them to help you activate.

To get help, open the "Get Help" app on your computer (just search for it in the Start menu). or go to https://support.microsoft.com/contactus, Type "Billing" and press Enter. On the next screen, click "Contact support" at the bottom of the page, then choose "Windows" > "Manage my subscription". You’ll then see the option to chat with a Microsoft support agent who has access to your account to help review the issue.