Windows 11 key - What have I done wrong

[VincentHanna]

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?

 

[VincentHanna]

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?

 

[VincentHanna]

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

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

 

[VincentHanna]

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

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.