Windows reactivation issue

Question

hello,

In 19th May 2025, I purchased a Thinkpad laptop from official Lenovo shop in China.

By default it's family version of win 11. but I purchased and required a update to professional version of win 11 and they served me quite well.

This year, because of system problem, I have to re-installed system in Lenovo. after-sales team of Lenovo has only family version of win11 as official version, and I was told that system could be updated to professional win 11 by myself with key.

But when I got the laptop back, I can't use the same key as before. The key was quite sealed well and it was sent to me at the beginning time when I purchase this Lenovo Thinkpad.

I am told now that this Key is used already and bonded with existing account. then what can I do to get my key back and use my Win11 professional again?

If it's possible to communicate in a confidential way, please send me email. I can reveal my key to the support engineer from Microsoft. Maybe they could help me bond with my system after refreshing.

Thank you.

Answer 1

1

1

Where did you get your Windows Pro licence, did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer?

2

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 forum, please hide your product key in the screenshot.

Answer 2

The Pro upgrade key is already in use and bound to the original activation, so Windows reports it as used when entered again after the reinstall. To use Windows 11 Pro again on this device, follow these steps:

1. Confirm the edition currently installed
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Activation.
   • Check whether the device is running Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
   • If it shows Home, the device must first be upgraded to Pro; if it already shows Pro but is not activated, skip to step 3.
2. Upgrade from Home to Pro (if needed)
   • Disconnect the device from the internet completely.
   • Open Settings > Update & Security (or System > Activation on Windows 11).
   • Select Change product key.
   • Enter the generic Pro key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T.
   • When prompted, choose to proceed; this key only upgrades the edition to Pro and does not provide a license.
   • Restart the PC (use Restart, not Shut down) and confirm that Windows 11 Pro is now shown under Settings > System > Activation.
3. Try activating with the purchased key as a new product key
   • Reconnect to the internet.
   • Go to Settings > System > Activation.
   • Select Change product key.
   • Enter the original Pro upgrade key that was provided with the ThinkPad.
   • Complete the activation wizard.
   • This uses the key again as a “new product key,” which can succeed even after hardware or system changes, as reported in similar scenarios.
4. If activation still fails
   • Use the activation troubleshooter in Settings > System > Activation if available.
   • If the troubleshooter does not resolve the issue, use phone activation from the activation dialog (where available) and follow the automated steps to activate by phone, providing the installation ID and entering the confirmation ID.

If the key remains blocked after these steps, direct assistance from Microsoft support is required so that the key and activation history can be checked and, if eligible, reassigned to the current hardware.

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References:

• Activate Windows
• Reactivate Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
• Windows Activation when upgrading from Home to Pro - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to use troubleshooter for windows activation - Microsoft Q&A
• Get help with Windows activation errors
• Reactivate Windows 11 after a hardware change
• Why can't I activate Windows?