Upgraded hardware, then updated to windows 11 now windows is not activating

Question

Upgraded hardware, then updated to windows 11 now windows is not activating

eleanor henshall 0

Up graded CPU and Ram to accommodate windows 11. then installed windows 11 and now it is not activating. "no product key"

Neil D 33,825 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-27T08:51:29.1833333+00:00
Can you give some details about the origin of the licence you have for Windows 10.

Was it part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.

Did you buy the Windows 10 licence separate from the device.

If you run the activation troubleshooter and select I changed hardware does it see a previous device to transfer the licence?

1 answer

Your answer

Neil D 33,825 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-27T08:51:29.1833333+00:00

Can you give some details about the origin of the licence you have for Windows 10.

Was it part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.

Did you buy the Windows 10 licence separate from the device.

If you run the activation troubleshooter and select I changed hardware does it see a previous device to transfer the licence?

Answer 1

A CPU/RAM upgrade normally does not require a new Windows licence. Your activation may have been lost during the Windows 11 installation, or the wrong edition was installed.

Go to Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot, select “I changed hardware on this device recently,” sign in with the Microsoft account previously linked to Windows, choose this PC, then select Activate. See: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activation/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change

Also confirm that the installed edition matches your old licence—for example, Windows Home cannot activate Windows Pro.