cannot reactivate after BIOS update

Question

cannot reactivate after BIOS update

Michael Sturgeon 0

I updated my BIOS and now I'm stuck with an 'activate Windows' watermark. I go into System -> Activation but it does not activate.

Background: I updated Microsoft Home (OEM) to Pro in 2024.

So when I go into Trouble Shooting it tells me my motherboard is registered to Home and I am running PRO.

So then I tried to get the PRO license in the email I was sent. I checked the email from 2024 and there is no product license. I suspect because it was an upgrade? I've also looked at my purchase history on my Microsoft account and there is not a product number listed there.

I'm out of ideas. Probably should of never upgraded OEM Home

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Michael Sturgeon 0

I think the problem is the product number for the OEM is on the firmware, and microsoft doesn't provide a product number I can manually enter for the upgrade.

upgrade:

Screenshot 2026-08-17 152017

Neil D 34,100 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-18T08:02:45.2766667+00:00

Yes the original OEM licence for Home edition is embedded in the bios by the system manufacturer. They provide the OEM licence.

You can use a command to see that embedded licence. pen a Command prompt (Admin) and enter

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey [press return]. That should display the 25 character product key for Home.

You have Pro installed though so that won't help. The upgrade licence is digital so the activation troubleshooter is the only option. If that isn't finding the Pro licence then Microsoft Support are the only ones who can help.

To contact them directly use the Get Help app in windows and search the phrase billing then select Contact Support at the bottom of the window.

There will be a couple more filters to select then you should see chat with an agent using your browser.

You could try ShowKeyPlus from the Store to see if it shows a Pro product key for the digital licence other than the generic Pro key that ends with 3V66T.

Answer 2

Neil D 34,100 Volunteer Moderator

The Home to Pro upgrade is a digital only licence so you should use the activation troubleshooter and select I change hardware. (even though you haven't)

This sort of thing with a bios update does seem to be affecting some users.

So that happens when you use the activation troubleshooter and select I changed hardware?

Michael Sturgeon 0 Reputation points

2026-08-17T22:10:56.43+00:00

Thanks for the reply. It gives me this prompt after selecting troubleshooter and I changed hardware.
Michael Sturgeon 0 Reputation points

2026-08-17T22:12:12.22+00:00

also here is my computer linked on Microsofts page:
Michael Sturgeon 0 Reputation points

2026-08-17T22:14:09.8433333+00:00

I think the only work around is a fresh OEM install, then upgrade to PRO again.