PC is not showing in my microsoft account

Question

PC is not showing in my microsoft account

David T 0

I have 5 pcs. I disconnected/removed one from my account with a view to selling it on, and I then did a complete reset. This is Windows Pro Retail.

Now I have decided I need to transfer the Pro licence to another pc running Home so I have updated the licence to Pro but it is not activated and I am lost as to how to transfer the licence.

I am unable to add the old PC back to my MS account - I have logged in and 'added' it and it is clearly showing 'Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account' but I go to the Microsoft Account and I only see the other 4 PCs.

I have waited a few days but nothing has appeared.

Any ideas.

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3 answers

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Answer 1

SD - IA 179K Independent Advisor

Thank you David, and I can understand your frustration. I apologize that you had to buy a new license - have a great weekend!

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Answer 2

SD - IA 179K Independent Advisor

I am unsure what managed device means here - hearing it for the first time.

Any luck with support, David?

David T 0 Reputation points

2025-10-05T06:00:29.9933333+00:00

No luck with support. As I said, they never call back - request jobs are just closed. I never get Chat options. I have a local free-call number which just goes in an endless automated loop.

So have given up and decided to just buy a licence.

Personally you were helpful, at least you helped me to understand my problem better and eventually I was able to find a way to relink my digital pc licence back to my Microsoft Account. But I couldn't make a transfer.

I am not sure of your link to MS but I am disappointed with the company. They sent me down this unnecessary track by forcing my hand on an upgrade to a new PC system to handle windows 11 but did not make it easy with a smooth transfer.

Answer 3

SD - IA 179K Independent Advisor

Hi David,

I'm Sumit, here to assist with your question.

Apologies for any inconvenience - I'm happy to help you today.

You should not have removed the PC - this made things a bit worse. Otherwise, you could have run the Activation troubleshooter and did a hardware change.

Now, I recommend contacting support only. They might ask for a proof of purchase.

Please get in touch with Microsoft Support for further help.

Please go to https://support.microsoft.com/contactus page

Type the ""Chat with someone"" option and press Enter.

Please click on the ""Contact support"" button at the bottom.

Select the Product and Category for support according to your requirement.

The available support methods will be shown to you.

Contact support abc_page-0001

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Otherwise, please take a moment to accept the answer. Wishing you good luck!

David T 0 Reputation points

2025-10-02T03:39:04.51+00:00

Yes I realise that. But why doesn't it re-add to the MS account? Then I can do the hardware change.

Also, I have been trying for days to contact support - they never call me back, and chat is never available. I'll keep trying but it's frustrating.
David T 0 Reputation points

2025-10-02T20:00:24.21+00:00

Well I now have my old pc linked again to my Microsoft Account and on my new PC I can run the troubleshooter and the Hardware Change option. The bad news is that it is only seeing my old PC (the one with the Pro retail licence) as a "Managed Device" so I can't do anything for a hardware change.

It is not a managed device as such, it is a homebuilt pc with a retail windows licence.

So I can't seem to progress this.