This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(188.79999999999998, 31%, 28%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ERB%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The error code indicates that I might have installed Windows 11 Pro on another machine. I have not. I need help to activate Windows 11 Pro. I just reinstalled it on my Geekcom A7 PC.
Answer accepted by question author
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?
I reinstalled Windows 11 Pro after a PC crash. I downloaded the ISO from Microsoft. After installation I could not activate it. I got the error code. 0xc0044c008. I have my original product key, but Microsoft thinks it is installed on another machine; it is not.
Ok, but that doesn't specifically answer some of my questions - 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?
It came preinstalled with the device. A Geekcom A7 mini PC. It is a Windows 11 Pro key. The motherboard has not changed; no hardware changed, just a reinstall.
I ran powershell and I do have a key.
If it doesn't return a key, it means the motherboard doesn't have any license embedded, meaning you were not using OEM license.
So I assume your license would be either retail, or OEM-NSLP (which is not locked to, written in the motherboard), so ideally you would need to remove the key from the old install first before you use the key again.
I assume that wasn't possible to do, or you didn't do. Activate by phone is no longer possible, so I am afraid you would have to contact support and have them activate for you.
To get help, open the "Get Help" app on your computer (just search for it in the Start menu). or go to https://support.microsoft.com/contactus, Type "Billing" and press Enter. On the next screen, click "Contact support" at the bottom of the page, then choose "Windows > "Manage my subscription". You’ll then see the option to chat with a Microsoft support agent.
Powershell did return a key. It is the original key.
Oh sorry.. I mis-read it. Powershell key matches the key you have?
Can you install an app called ShowKey plus from the Store app, then check this key in the app, see if it is meant to be for Pro.
Sorry. The assistant has just tried to activate it, and he could not do it. I have to get another key from Geekcom. I tried all day to get to talk with an assistant, and your instruction got me straight through, So thank you for that.
You are welcome.
It came preinstalled with the device. A Geekcom A7 mini PC. It is a Windows 11 Pro key. The motherboard has not changed; no hardware changed, just a reinstall.
Launch Powershell (note, it is not Command Prompt, but Powershell), and run this code to see if you have an OEM license on the motherboard. (don't share the code if it returns some, a yes or no answer will do)
(Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingService -Property OA3xOriginalProductKey).OA3xOriginalProductKey