windows 11 Activation troubleshooter

Question

I installed a copy of Windows 10 Pro and upgraded to Windows 11. My PC installed the new operating system, but it doesn't activate the key.

I have a Windows 10 Pro OEM license, but after upgrading to Windows 11, it says the license is already in use.

Correct, it was in use as version 10, but on the same device.

How can I fix this?

best regards

[PII Removed]

Answer 1

Hi informatica calabria,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that after upgrading from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 on the same PC, Windows shows your OEM license is already in use and the system won’t activate.

Please help me answer quick questions to narrow this down:

1. Are you signed into Windows 11 with the same Microsoft account that was used when Windows 10 Pro was activated on this device?
2. Did you change any major hardware recently (especially motherboard/BIOS/TPM-related changes) around the time of the upgrade?

In the meantime, you can try these steps:

1, Confirm the installed edition matches your license

• Open Settings, select System, select Activation, and confirm it shows Windows 11 Pro (not Home)

2, Make sure the device can reach activation services

• Verify the PC has a stable internet connection
• Verify Date, Time, and Time zone are correct, then restart the PC

3, Check whether your digital license is linked to your Microsoft account

• Open Settings, select System, select Activation, and look for wording that indicates the license is linked to your Microsoft account
• If it is not linked, add your Microsoft account in the Activation page and sign in

4, Run the Activation troubleshooter and reassign the license to this device

• Open Settings, select System, select Activation, select Troubleshoot
• If you see the option, select I changed hardware on this device recently, then sign in and pick this PC from the device list

5, Try activation via the Product Activation flow if online activation keeps failing

• Open Settings, select System, select Activation, and use the activation options available there (including the phone/assisted activation flow if presented)

If you still want to contacting Microsoft Support. Here are the steps to contact Microsoft Support:

• Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/home/contact
• Enter the issue keyword (for example: Windows activation or license already in use)
• Scroll down and click Contact Support
• Sign in with the Microsoft account
• Select Windows for Products and Services and choose the suitable category
• Select Chat with a support agent in your web browser if available

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Answer 2

1

Click your Start Button, type cmd then right click Command Prompt and choose 'Run as Administrator'

Run or paste this command and hit Enter:

slmgr.vbs /dlv

Please post a screenshot of the resulting dialog

3

If that is an OEM key you purchased separately to the PC, download the free ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.

On the that app, click 'Check Edition', then enter your product key into that app.

Please provide a screenshot of that app window.

This is a public user forum, please hide your product key in the screenshot.

Answer 3

how to Contact Microsoft Support