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I recently reset my Windows 10 device. Now I can't activate it. Meanwhile I just bought a Windows 11 device and the system seems to be mistaking the the 2 laptops as 1 since the activation is linked to my Microsoft account! I basically have 2 PCs with the same Microsoft account and separate activation codes. The windows 10 is the pro version while the 11 is a home version............
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On the Windows 10 machine:
Determine license type:
Do nothing unless it’s not activated:
Go to:
This avoids selecting the wrong device during activation.
If:
Then the final step:
Answer accepted by question author
Hello
Regarding the Windows 10 device, I need more information please.
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?
You said it was Pro, was it initially on Home and you later upgraded to Pro?
I saw the information you post under Mustafa's post.
After the reset, any chance the computer went back to Home edition?
Type winver in the search on the taskbar and press enter, when it is launched, verify if it went back to Home.
If so, you need to get Pro installed again.
You can go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key
Disconnect internet, and disable any third party antivirus, key in the generic key instead: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
That should get you to Pro. Once restarted, you can connect back to the internet, sign into your Microsoft account. See if it is activated.
If not, go to Settings > System > Activation, run the troubleshooter, choose the hardware change option. When it asks you where it is installed on right now, you should choose the old device name. Then click on Activate button. And on the next screen when it asks you where to transfer it to, choose your new device name. See if that does the trick.
It says windows 10 Enterprise!
I'll try your suggestions......
This seems to have worked. I have 10 Pro activated.
1 more question - is it possible to swap the keys between the 2 systems? I mean will the 10 Pro key change my 11 Home on the other PC to 11 Pro?
You mean, return your Windows 10 Pro to Home on the old, and upgrade the new computer from Windows 11 Home to Pro?
You should be able to, not that you are swapping. Old computer will go back to using the original Home license it came with. I don't think you can transfer the Windows 11 Home license from new to old because it sounds like you are on OEM license. OEM cannot transfer. However, now that you are on Pro, to go back to Home, you need to do a clean install. There's no simple in-place downgrade.,
As for the new computer, you can use the same method. Disconnect internet, use generic key to upgrade to Pro, then run troubleshooter to transfer the license.
Now, I do want to make you aware though, typically you won't be able to activate it again within 90 days. Microsoft doesn't say this out loud, but I've seen many users have trouble activate/reactivate within a short time. I think Microsoft does this intentionally to prevent users from sharing one license between devices by swapping and transferring among them.
If I'm getting you right, I can use the same generic key on the new PC with 11 Home, but I have to wait 90 days to activate...........................?
Correct. The generic key is for installation purposes only; to install Pro, it doesn't activate.
Alright then, what happens after 90 days? Will it go back to Home or stay Pro and activate?
Hello Akindele,
It's very important to check (What Windows Edition Is Installed) is it.
Example:
If your old laptop originally had: Windows 10 Home license but after reset it installed: Windows 10 Pro --> Then it will fail activation because Home key cannot activate Pro.
Try the below fixed:
I hope that helps!
Best,
Mustafa
Hi Mustafa,
thanks for reaching out.
Old laptop had Win 10 Pro Installed, but it came with Home originally. I upgraded to pro and it's linked to my Microsoft account.
The Troubleshooter didn't work. It shows only the new laptop...
I can't sign in on the link because of error "You can't sign in here with a personal account. Use your work or school account instead."
I used the old laptop in school and it may have been under some administrator ...........
Akindele
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