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I am getting an "activate windows" message now which states that I do not have a valid license. I purchased my kit from Corsiar in 2023 and I have had an access license since then. My Microsoft account shows I have a Windows 11 Pro license associated with it when I log in online. Windows 11 is not stating that I do not have a valid license key after this last update. Error code: 0x803FA067
This really feels like fraud and attempting to get people to purchase another license because it is easier than getting support from the support dark pattern. I click "contact support" and it takes me in circled back to another "contact support" button. This is really messed up. I have a valid key. It is associated with my account that I am logged in with. All the correct info is there. I see this has been a problem for well over a year at least and MS hasn't fixed it? I should even need to make this post. I am not purchasing another license when I have a valid one I paid for.
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If anyone else is having this issue, I was able to fix it by using the "fix problems using windows update" option in settings > system > recovery.
Where did you buy the Windows 11 licence. Did you hardware purchase also include a licence.?
Did you buy a Home or Pro edition licence and is that edition still installed.
Please give as much detail as possible about the licence history. To see the current licence status open a Command prompt and enter slmgr /dlv [press return] and post a screenshot of the result.
Hi! Please try this (no repurchase needed): Settings > System > Activation and first confirm the edition says Windows 11 Pro (license must match edition). Then click Troubleshoot and, if offered, choose “I changed hardware on this device recently” and sign in with the same Microsoft account that shows the Pro license. If you have the 25-character key from Corsair, use Change product key to enter it again.
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As EmilyS pointed out, the OEM_COA_NSLP (System Builder/COA) license type needs to be reactivated using the 25-character product key printed on the COA sticker/card that came with the device. To reactivate, go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key and enter that key.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227
If you can’t locate the COA key (sticker/card is missing/damaged), the usual path is to contact the seller/system builder (Corsair/reseller) with proof of purchase, since the COA key is what’s required to complete activation.
I already re-entered the key I found in the registry backup value. The error code is stating this key is invalid as I stated. Putting a key that MS is stating is invalid does nothing. This does not fix anything. Corsair did not give me a sticker or put one on anything. It was a build kit with a preloaded key on the image they put on the SSD.
This key worked for over 2 years. It is not working after the update. The MS update broke my valid license key and made it invalid.
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, the key you’re seeing in the registry is usually a generic installation key, not the original activation key.
Your best option is to contact the device manufacturer (or system builder). They’re the ones responsible for providing the correct recovery/activation path; they should have shared the key, as this could be necessary sometimes, especially after a reset, major updates, or hardware changes. Microsoft Support can’t generate or re-issue a replacement product key for a specific device.
Thanks. Contacting Corsair as I am pretty sure they gave me no key ID card with the kit. Corsair stated that they are confused why the key is not built into the motherboard as they expect that but it isn't on my system for some reason. They may just get me a new key. :/
While I understand the a key is needed for physical hardware changes, there were none in this case. This is why I consider a MS issue. They broke the key with their own update. They should be responsible for that. Clearly MS is unwilling to be responsible for their actions.
As I mentioned before, a big feature update like 25H2 is effectively a “major refresh” of Windows, and it commonly triggers a fresh activation validation (Windows checks again whether the install still has a valid digital license linked to the device/Microsoft account, or a valid product key for that edition). Windows can flip from “activated” to “not activated” right after the update, even if it had been fine for years.
Microsoft’s OEM Activation documentation explicitly describes OEMs managing the ordering/handling of Windows product keys as part of their build process; if your motherboard doesn’t actually have an embedded key and you weren’t given a COA/key, Microsoft can’t “re-issue” that missing OEM proof, Corsair (or whoever supplied the image/license) has to.
Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:
slmgr /dlv
Then share a screenshot please. Thanks!
sure.
This license has been working fine for over 2 years. The recent update killed it.
You have OEM-COA-NSLP license. It’s not digital license so troubleshooter is not relevant tool for your case
This type of license is for builders who don't have capability like big OEM companies (Dell, HP, etc) to embed OEM license to motherboard. So it works like a retail license, but builders must put the sticker on the device that it came with. Look for this sticker on the device somewhere. When you find it, you will see the license key on it.
Then go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key, key in the license key and it should do the trick.
I already re-entered the key I found in the registry backup value. The error code is stating this key is invalid as I stated. Putting a key that MS is claiming is invalid does not fix anything. Corsair did not give me a sticker or put one on anything. It was a build kit with a preloaded key on the image they put on the SSD. This key worked for over 2 years. It is not working after the update. The MS update broke my valid license key and made it invalid. This is just completely wrong after the update...
The key in the registry is NOT a valid key. Windows stores a generic or obfuscated key in the registry, which is NOT meant for activation, but to tell Windows what edition to install, etc. I am aware many online articles told users to find the key in the registry. It is super misleading and straight out wrong.
You are entitled to the key when they put in an OEM-COA-NSLP. This key is NOT meant to be thrown away. Major firmware updates /hardware changes can always throw off activation and require validation again, that's why the key is meant to be kept for moments like this.
Unless they give you a key that's embedded in the motherboard, then you can throw the key away, but not your type of key.
I am not sure if you can still dispute it with Corsair, but worth a try.
Well I never got a key unfortunately. I wouldn't throw a key away. I will contact Corsair. The MS update is what broke this. I have made no hardware changes since I bought the kit and put it together.
Sorry, didn't mean to accuse you for throwing the key away, just in general speaking, as I've run into OEM-COA-NSLP license here often and many users don't keep the key.
It is NORMAL for Windows update to require activation again. This is not considered broken. Updates can sometimes involve significant firmware/BIOS updates and tpm chip driver update. This type of updates can trigger the ask of activation again for non-digital retail license and OEM-COA-NSLP license.