Windows 11 key - What have I done wrong

VincentHanna

VincentHanna

VincentHanna

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So I had Windows 11 running on an AMD 5900x.

I got the key from the registry before swapping the NVME to a new PC, and installing a fresh install of Windows from a USB boot drive I made.

It asked me for the product key prior to (or maybe whilst) installing, which I put in and it seemed ok yesterday.

However today, it's telling me I need to activate Windows, and when I try putting that same key in again it says I don't have a valid license or product key.

Any idea where I went wrong?
 
Could be that the license key you had was an OEM key which ties itself to the first PC its activated on and cannot be moved to a new PC.

Do you login with a local account or Microsoft account?

Only Retail keys can be moved from system to system providing they are not in use on any other systems
 
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The previous system was 100% built by me, so unlikely it was an OEM key.

I login with a microsoft account.

I've installed Windows 11 Home and it's possible I had Windows 11 pro on the old PC, but I can't remember. Could that be the issue?
 
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VincentHanna said:
The previous system was 100% built by me, so unlikely it was an OEM key.

I login with a microsoft account.

I've installed Windows 11 Home and it's possible I had Windows 11 pro on the old PC, but I can't remember. Could that be the issue?
Click to expand...
Could well be, you have to install the OS that the license key is for.

You cannot activate a Pro version using a Home license as they are normally priced differently

If you check your Microsoft account this should store your license key as well. Does it mention what OS its for at all?

I use a local account so not sure if it gives this info
 
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ED209 said:
Could well be, you have to install the OS that the license key is for.

You cannot activate a Pro version using a Home license as they are normally priced differently

If you check your Microsoft account this should store your license key as well. Does it mention what OS its for at all?

I use a local account so not sure if it gives this info
Click to expand...
Right ahead of you (I had just thought to check this)

Name
XXXXXXX-XXXXXXXX

OS Edition
Windows 11 Home

Version
2009

OS Build
10.0.26100.2605

System type
X570 AORUS XTREME

RAM
32 GB
 
Are you still using the previous system?

Maybe its not activating as its still tried to the previous system

I built a new system over Christmas and got a new license key for it as I knew my previous system was an OEM license
 
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ED209 said:
Are you still using the previous system?

Maybe its not activating as its still tried to the previous system

I built a new system over Christmas and got a new license key for it as I knew my previous system was an OEM license
Click to expand...
No, I took it apart at the weekend to sell off various components.

I've kept the NVME hard drive with the Windows bootloader though.
 
VincentHanna said:
The previous system was 100% built by me, so unlikely it was an OEM key.
Click to expand...
Did you buy one of the cheap keys? Possibly sold you a OEM instead of Retail.

Not sure if this will work seeing as you are now unactivated, but...

  1. Open Start
  2. Search for Command Prompt
  3. Right-click the top result and select Run as administrator
  4. Type slmgr /dli and press Enter
  5. A Windows Script Host dialog will open and display the license type
Click to expand...
 
Do the telephone activation thing, and the SLMGR stuff. It'll activate in the end, it is just a PITA.

/source: I bought an OEM key off of wowcher the other week.
 
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