activation error

Question

hello there, I just upgraded the hardware and from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and after I successfully installed Windows 11, it indicated no product key was found on my device, I clicked change product key and entered the product key I have for years. thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, is motherboard changed?

Answer 2

how do I contact Microsoft support?

Answer 3

After upgrading your hardware and installing Windows 11, if you encounter a message indicating that no product key was found on your device, it may be due to the way digital licenses work. If you have a product key that you have used for years, you can try entering it again, but there are instances where the activation may still fail due to hardware changes.

If the product key you entered is not accepted, you may need to contact Microsoft support for assistance. They can help you verify your digital license and potentially re-activate your Windows 11 installation. Additionally, if your previous license was upgraded from Windows 10, it may not be valid for Windows 11 anymore, as some upgrade paths have changed.

It's also worth noting that if you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, ensure that the account is the same one you used previously. If the activation troubleshooter does not resolve the issue, reaching out to Microsoft support is recommended.

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References:

• Unable to activate windows after hardware update - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to activate Windows 11 Pro digital license after device change - Microsoft Q&A