I HAVE A PROBLEN WITH WINDOWS 11

Question

I HAVE A PROBLEN WITH WINDOWS 11

peter carroll 0

PC WAS REPAIRED AND HAD A REINSTALL DONE NOW THE ACTIVATION IS UNABLE TO BE DONE AS NO PRODUCT KEY IS KNOWN BUT IT WAS PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS AGO

Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T07:50:28.56+00:00

When the company reinstalled windows did they install the same edition (Home or Pro) that the licence was for originally.

What do they say about the licence that was originally supplied for Windows 11?

As per the previous post please supply a screenshot resulting from the command slmgr /dlv in your reply.
peter carroll 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T09:33:21.2933333+00:00

yes i got the command prompt to show the activation code but its not allowing me to take a screenshot as it disappears when screenshot is activated

the installed the same edition ,i never asked about the license when they did reinstall
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T09:37:14.9833333+00:00

The result perhaps just goes out of focus and is behind another window.

Does it show a Retail or OEM licence. Are the last 5 characters displayed 8HVX7 or H8Q99
peter carroll 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T09:41:27.8766667+00:00

it mentions retail in the text and product id has 8HVX7
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T09:58:23.6833333+00:00

Okay. That is a generic Home licence that cannot be used to activate windows.

When the company built your system did they indicate it came with a Windows 11 licence or did you buy a licence (shown on the invoice) with the purchase. Is there a COA label fixed to the case somewhere with a 25 character product code.

If the company supplying the system with windows provided a licence you will need to ask them for details.
peter carroll 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T10:12:46.7766667+00:00

ok i will get InTouch with the builders of the machine ,i brought the windows 11 system new as part of the build so i thought it comes with a license
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T10:16:55.63+00:00

So far as I can tell a Windows 11 Home licence is around between $220 and $255 NZD

3 answers

Your answer

Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T07:50:28.56+00:00

When the company reinstalled windows did they install the same edition (Home or Pro) that the licence was for originally.

What do they say about the licence that was originally supplied for Windows 11?

As per the previous post please supply a screenshot resulting from the command slmgr /dlv in your reply.
peter carroll 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T09:33:21.2933333+00:00

yes i got the command prompt to show the activation code but its not allowing me to take a screenshot as it disappears when screenshot is activated

the installed the same edition ,i never asked about the license when they did reinstall
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T09:37:14.9833333+00:00

The result perhaps just goes out of focus and is behind another window.

Does it show a Retail or OEM licence. Are the last 5 characters displayed 8HVX7 or H8Q99
peter carroll 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T09:41:27.8766667+00:00

it mentions retail in the text and product id has 8HVX7
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T09:58:23.6833333+00:00

Okay. That is a generic Home licence that cannot be used to activate windows.

When the company built your system did they indicate it came with a Windows 11 licence or did you buy a licence (shown on the invoice) with the purchase. Is there a COA label fixed to the case somewhere with a 25 character product code.

If the company supplying the system with windows provided a licence you will need to ask them for details.
peter carroll 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T10:12:46.7766667+00:00

ok i will get InTouch with the builders of the machine ,i brought the windows 11 system new as part of the build so i thought it comes with a license
Neil D 34,430 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-28T10:16:55.63+00:00

So far as I can tell a Windows 11 Home licence is around between $220 and $255 NZD

Answer 1

DYARI BARHAM 37,761 Independent Advisor

Thanks for the update.

If they built the computer from the beginning, did they activate it, or did you purchase a license key separately? What Windows edition is currently running on your computer? Is it the same as previouse edition before performing a clean install?

Please click Start > Type winver and hit enter> Screenshot and post it back.

Also, go to Settings > Activation > Troubleshoot > What error code do you see? Send a screenshot along with the provided slmgr command.

0 comments

Answer 2

DYARI BARHAM 37,761 Independent Advisor

Hi ,

I'm Dyari. Thanks for reaching out.

Could you please let me know where you purchased the activation key? Have you changed any computer parts during the repair? Is the operating system pre-installed on your computer, or did you purchase a retail license from Microsoft?

To check your activation status, click Start > Run CMD as administrator > Type the command below and hit enter:

slmgr.vbs /dlv

Take a screenshot and post it back.

peter carroll 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T05:07:45.08+00:00

the pc is a new build from a company called pbtech in abany new zealand it came with windows 11 in the new build no new parts have been replaced just reinstall after a windows taskbar issue

Answer 3

If Windows 11 was activated before the repair and reinstall, the fastest path depends on whether the device had a digital license or needs a product key.

Check activation status:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation.
- If the device previously had a digital license, Windows can reactivate automatically when connected to the internet and signed in with the Microsoft account linked to that license.
If Windows was already activated before reinstalling:
- Reinstalling the same edition of Windows 11 on the same device does not require entering a product key.
- If prompted during setup, select I don't have a product key.
- After installation, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the digital license and let Windows activate online.
If activation still fails:
- Open Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
- The Activation troubleshooter is available only when Windows is not activated.
- An internet connection is required, and an administrator account is required to run it.
If the repair involved a major hardware change, especially the motherboard:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
- Enter the 25-character product key if available.
- If the original manufacturer replaced the motherboard, the PC should reactivate automatically. If not, use the key from the COA card if one was provided.
Confirm the installed edition matches the license:
- In Settings > System > Activation, check whether the device is running Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
- Windows will not activate if the installed edition does not match the license.
If no product key is available:
- For a device bought new or refurbished with Windows 11, the product key may be preinstalled in the device firmware, included with the packaging, or on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
- If Windows 11 was bought from Microsoft Store online, the product key is in the confirmation email with the order history.
- If there is no digital license and no product key, a new digital license can be purchased from Start > Settings > System > Activation > Go to Store.

If the reinstall was done on the same PC and the edition matches, the most likely fix is to connect to the internet, sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the device, then run the Activation troubleshooter if needed.