Windows activation

Question

Windows activation

Anas Haroun 0

My computer updated its BIOS and then deleted and reset the TPM. I lost Windows activation, even though it was linked to my Microsoft account. I tried everything to restore activation, but I couldn't. I even went to my account settings under Devices and found two devices linked to me before and after the BIOS update, even though they were the same computer. I deleted them too, but it didn't help at all. I tried contacting Microsoft Assistant directly, but I couldn't get through to them. It took a very long time and a lot of effort, and unfortunately, it was complicated and frustrating.

EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T19:16:50.29+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, there's no motherboard change, right?
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T19:24:14.23+00:00

I bought it from a third party three or four years ago and there has never been any change to the motherboard, only my device has updated the BIOS. My device type is: HP Pavilion Gaming 15-ec2057nt (68N72EA)
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T19:33:44.73+00:00
Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

slmgr /dlv

Then share a screenshot please.

In addition, can you download an app called ShowKey PLus from Windows Store app, and then input this key to check the editon. And tell me what it says.
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T19:42:22.24+00:00
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T19:46:23.61+00:00
This is the message I get when I enter the key that was shown to me by the application. Note that I formatted my device and reinstalled Windows 11. This is some of the information I obtained from the application ( OEM Key: OEM key not present in firmware

Default key - requires a Digital License for activation )
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:03:40.29+00:00

Sorry, when you launch ShowKey Plus, use the check edition feature, then enter the 25-digit key, and tell me what it says.
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T20:07:29.8533333+00:00
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:16:45.7433333+00:00

just want to make sure. When you entered the license key in ShowKey Plus, your key doesn't end with 3V66T, right?
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T20:19:54.3+00:00

Yes, that's correct. It ends with 3V66T.
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:24:26.8633333+00:00

That's the problem. 3V66T is the generic key, it is NOT the actual key.

Since you purchased from third party, you need the actual 25-digit key the vendor/retailer gave you.
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T20:33:40.9966667+00:00

If I may ask one last question, isn't my Windows license supposed to be linked to my Microsoft account? Why isn't it activating even though I've linked Windows to the same Microsoft account? I am absolutely certain that my Windows license was linked to my Microsoft account.
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:37:12.05+00:00

Not if it was purchased from a third party.

1 answer

Your answer

EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T19:16:50.29+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, there's no motherboard change, right?
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T19:24:14.23+00:00

I bought it from a third party three or four years ago and there has never been any change to the motherboard, only my device has updated the BIOS. My device type is: HP Pavilion Gaming 15-ec2057nt (68N72EA)
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T19:33:44.73+00:00

Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

slmgr /dlv

Then share a screenshot please.

In addition, can you download an app called ShowKey PLus from Windows Store app, and then input this key to check the editon. And tell me what it says.
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T19:42:22.24+00:00
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T19:46:23.61+00:00

This is the message I get when I enter the key that was shown to me by the application. Note that I formatted my device and reinstalled Windows 11. This is some of the information I obtained from the application ( OEM Key: OEM key not present in firmware

Default key - requires a Digital License for activation )
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:03:40.29+00:00

Sorry, when you launch ShowKey Plus, use the check edition feature, then enter the 25-digit key, and tell me what it says.
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T20:07:29.8533333+00:00
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:16:45.7433333+00:00

just want to make sure. When you entered the license key in ShowKey Plus, your key doesn't end with 3V66T, right?
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T20:19:54.3+00:00

Yes, that's correct. It ends with 3V66T.
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:24:26.8633333+00:00

That's the problem. 3V66T is the generic key, it is NOT the actual key.

Since you purchased from third party, you need the actual 25-digit key the vendor/retailer gave you.
Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T20:33:40.9966667+00:00

If I may ask one last question, isn't my Windows license supposed to be linked to my Microsoft account? Why isn't it activating even though I've linked Windows to the same Microsoft account? I am absolutely certain that my Windows license was linked to my Microsoft account.
EmilyS726 272.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-12T20:37:12.05+00:00

Not if it was purchased from a third party.

Answer 1

Same exact issue. The one time I was able to get through to a support technician they had me reinstall windows, which not only did not solve the issue at all, but destroyed several images and other software installations on my old installation. I spent 12 hours reinstalling windows, copying network drivers to a thumbdrive and reinstalling basic software packages because the new install didn't recognize my Wifi card or other hardware.

Now I am no longer able to get through to any kind of support. When logging in for support through windows it just takes me to an error page where the support app should have opened. I have spent a dozen hours going the the same loop of activation troubleshooting anjd logging in to my account probably a hundred times. At this point I just want a refund for Windows 11 Pro. I'll spend more time manually recovering work projects from the old Windows install but at least that will be the end of it.

Anas Haroun 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T19:00:41.3766667+00:00

I tried every possible way to contact live technical support, but I couldn't, and the problem wasn't solved at all.