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I recently reinstalled Windows on my PC, and for some reason the Windows activation key didn't automatically move over, so I had to go through the process of going into the activation settings, selecting I changed hardware, and selecting my PC as the device that I am currently using (even though no hardware was changed). Then a few days later I reinstalled a number of drivers for the PC, and after a restart the windows activation watermark appeared. Trying to troubleshoot this through the same means as before leads to an error
"Unable to activate Windows
We can't activate your copy of Windows as the digital license for this device has already been used to reactivate Windows."
Calling the microsoft support number just points me to this page https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665
and everything on that page has already failed, or does not apply to me. I did purchase a real Windows license, though I have long since lost the key. Am I just doomed to lose my key because of a driver update?
Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.
Type slmgr.vbs /dlv in a command prompt Admin window and post a screenshot of the resulting dialog box.
Meanwhile, open the ShowKey Plus app on your device and check whether it displays the installed product key. Try using that key to reactivate Windows or rerun the activation troubleshooter.
Running that command returns this window, and using ShowKey Plus just shows the generic key, which fails to activate windows.
Hi,
Do you have the option to install Windows 11 PRO from the Microsoft Store?
Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Go to Microsoft Store.
Click Install if you see the option for the Windows 11 PRO screen on the Microsoft Store.
If you're having issues, try the following method.
Disconnect your PC from the internet. (both Wi-Fi and Ethernet).
Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change Product key.
Enter the Windows 11 generic PRO product key, then click Activate.
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Click Activate.
When going to the Microsoft store it only shows the option to purchase a new license. After disconnecting the PC from all networks and setting the product key to the one you provided it gave the following error, and now the Activation state error has changed to say that PC has changed hardware.
George,
Please install the ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store to check the product key currently installed on your device.
Once you have the key, try using it to activate Windows and see if it works.
As stated earlier, the installed key shown in ShowKeyPlus is the generic Windows 11 Pro product key. This key does not allow me to activate windows. I believe part of the issue could be that I have changed hardware enough times and had to use the "I recently changed hardware on this device" button, that maybe there's some kind of activation limit that I've reached that will not let me activate using that same key until that limit has been reset.
George, if this is the situation, I recommend contacting Microsoft Support directly.
If you have proof of purchase for the license you purchased, Microsoft Support can assist you with reactivating Windows on your device. Here's how you can get in touch with them.
5. Click Chat with a support agent in your web browser.
