Windows 11 Activation with Windows 10 License?

Question

I purchased a Windows 10 Pro license and then later upgraded my PC to Windows 11 Pro. Recently I had to completely rebuild that same PC. This time I started directly with Windows 11 Pro. When I try to activate using the previous Windows 10 Pro license, I get an error stating the license is not valid. How can I activate my Windows instance? Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,

Did you change the motherboard when you say you rebuilt the PC?

Activation depends on what type of license you have of Windows 7/8/10.

If Windows 7/8/10 came preinstalled with the computer, that is called an OEM license. For an OEM license, the license dies as soon as the Motherboard dies. So, essentially, it is non-transferable. If that is the case, you need to get a new license.

However, this is not the same for retail licenses, i.e. you purchased the permit through the Microsoft store. That does carry transfer rights. If that is the case, please see the steps below:

Run the activation troubleshooter on the new device using the steps below:

Go to Settings>Update and Security>Activation and run the troubleshooter. For Windows 11, it is Settings > System > Activation.

Concurrently, select I recently changed hardware on this device.

(Please note that the Activation troubleshooter requires you to have a digital license linked to a Microsoft Account.)

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 rate the thread. Wishing you good luck!

Answer 2

If you have a product key get ShowKeyPlus from the Store and enter the key at Check edition. Does that confirm a Windows 10 Pro retail licence?

If it is a Windows 7 or 8 licence that was previously allowed to activate Windows 10 then that type of licence is now blocked by Microsoft.

Answer 3

Thank you. So were you able to activate the license?

Answer 4

Alright. Perhaps Microsoft support can assist you on Monday, since this is a user-user support forum.

Please contact Microsoft Support for additional assistance.

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.

Answer 5

Thank you all. After spending too much of my time working through prompts and calling diff phone numbers to no avail, I ended up buying a new license. Frustrating, but it was a waste of time to troubleshoot. Thanks for the recommendations.