Can you pls share us the exact activation error message you received, we can help.
Reactivating Windows 11
I upgraded my pc and my windows didn't activated after I logged in with my Microsoft account.
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
3 answers
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Kapil Arya 38,531 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2026-08-09T17:23:59.6633333+00:00 -
DaveM121 939.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-08-09T14:47:41.0566667+00:00 1
Did you make any hardware changes on your PC like replacing the motherboard?
2
Where did you get your Windows licence was that pre-installed on the PC or did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer, and if so, do you have the product key?
Or is your Windows licence based on a previous Windows 7 or 8 licence?
3
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 /dlvPlease post a screenshot of the resulting dialog
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AI answer
2026-08-09T14:15:22.9966667+00:00 If Windows 11 stopped activating after a hardware upgrade, use the reactivation path for a digital license.
- Check activation status:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation.
- If it says Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, the account is already linked.
- If it says Windows is activated with a digital license, the Microsoft account is not linked yet.
- If the account is not linked, add it:
- Sign in with an administrator account.
- Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Your info and confirm the account shows Administrator.
- Then go back to Settings > System > Activation, select Add an account, and sign in with the Microsoft account.
- After that, the Activation page should show Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
- Run the Activation troubleshooter:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot.
- Select I changed hardware on this device recently.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the license.
- From the device list, select the device, check This is the device I’m using right now, and select Activate.
- Verify the Windows edition matches:
- The edition before and after the hardware change must be the same, such as Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro to Windows 11 Pro.
- The edition is shown on Settings > System > Activation.
- If Windows was originally activated with a product key:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
- Enter the same 25-character product key used previously.
- If the troubleshooter does not show the device:
- Make sure the same Microsoft account that was associated with the digital license is being used.
- If the previous device entry was removed from the Microsoft account, the troubleshooter may not be able to locate it. In that case, use the product key if available or contact Microsoft Support for manual activation.
If activation still fails, check the activation error and use the Windows activation error guidance.
References:
AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information. - Check activation status: