Windows 11 Pro activation after physical component upgrade and Windows reinstallation

Question

I have trouble I've upgraded my PC, reinstall Windows and I also sign in with my microsoft account which I used during purchese of Windows 10/11 Pro license and now I see my activation is broken

I've tried to resolve it by running automatic Troubleshooting operation in the Activation tab, but it doesn't help and online automative support doesn't have an option for me as there're only one way for 'I have charge physical components on the computer' and the second 'I have reinstall Windows', but there're no option for both in the same time.

Answer 1

1

What type of licence did you purchase, was Windows 11 Home installed and activated on your PC and did you purchase the Home to Pro half price upgrade licence by going to the Store on the activation settings window or did you purchase a full retail version of Windows 11 Pro directly from Microsoft?

2

If you click Troubleshoot, then choose 'I changed my hardware' do you see the previously activated device in the list to try to move the licence to the new hardware.

Answer 2

Use this activation path for the combination of hardware change + reinstall:

1. Verify the installed edition matches the license.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation.
   • If the device was licensed for Windows 11 Pro, the installed edition must also be Windows 11 Pro. If the edition does not match, Windows will not activate.
2. If Windows 11 Pro is installed, try reactivation from Activation settings.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
   • Enter the 25-character product key if available.
3. If Windows was reinstalled after a significant hardware change, use the Activation troubleshooter.
   • Windows activation requires an internet connection.
   • The troubleshooter is available only when Windows is not activated.
   • Administrator rights are required.
   • In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
4. If the license was digital, reactivation works best when the Microsoft account was linked to the device’s digital license before the hardware change or reinstall.
   • Linking the Microsoft account to the digital license is the preparation Microsoft recommends so Windows can be reactivated later with the Activation troubleshooter.
5. If the motherboard was replaced by the original hardware manufacturer, the PC should reactivate automatically. If it does not, check whether the manufacturer provided a COA card with a 25-character key and enter it through Change product key.
6. If the previous device entry was removed from the Microsoft account, the Activation Troubleshooter may not be able to locate the old device for license transfer. In that case, use the original 25-character product key if available, or contact Microsoft Support for manual activation.
7. If Windows was reinstalled, confirm the reinstalled edition matches the license.
   • Go to Start > Settings > System > About.
   • In Windows specifications, check Edition.

If none of the above works, the supported next step is Microsoft Support for manual activation.

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References:

• Activate Windows
• Using the Windows Activation troubleshooter
• Reinstall Windows with the installation media
• Unable to activate Windows after reinstallation - Microsoft Q&A