Windows activation after harddrive change

marno17 · 2 Nov 2023 at 18:08

I activated windows 11 on my new pc but by mistake I installed on what I thought was my SSD nvme.But instead installed on my other Seagate hdd.
I reinstalled via USB on my nvme SSD and on install I deleted previous install on the partitions drives that I'd mistakenly put on my Seagate hdd.

Now I can't activate win 11 with my paid for key.

I know it's something to do with the first install as I activated win 11 on my Seagate HDD.

How do I get rid of the original activation in order to activate my new install on my SSD ?

Tetras · 2 Nov 2023 at 18:21

The installs aren't usually tied to the media, it should activate automatically.

marno17 · 2 Nov 2023 at 18:37

I'm getting a 0xc004c008 error code

Also I installed win 11 via media creation tool on a usb stick then activated with the key I paid for that came with a disc. The pc doesn't have a disc drive .

Delta3D · 2 Nov 2023 at 18:39

You can normally ring Microsoft and do phone activation to resolve that.

Tetras · 2 Nov 2023 at 18:43

marno17 said:
I'm getting a 0xc004c008 error code

I'd just leave it not activated for a few weeks and you may find it will resolve itself.

marno17 · 2 Nov 2023 at 18:52

Thanks Everyone

Rroff · 2 Nov 2023 at 18:55

Normally you have to phone MS in that situation - I've not done it more recently but it used to be a pretty quick thing, one question then they gave you a code to re-activate as a hardware change.

JollyJamma · 3 Nov 2023 at 07:49

Ring them if you need.

Done it 1000 times when replacing a faulty motherboard back in my IT support days.

freddie64 · 4 Nov 2023 at 07:52

marno17 said:
I deleted previous install on the partitions drives that I'd mistakenly put on my Seagate hdd.

Wonder if it left some hidden file that is being detected?

You could try unplugging the HDD and just activate with the NVME installed.

marno17 · 4 Nov 2023 at 11:09

Not a bad shout but then when I plug it back in would that cause a conflict between the two active devices?

freddie64 · 4 Nov 2023 at 20:40

marno17 said:
Not a bad shout but then when I plug it back in would that cause a conflict between the two active devices?

Unsure to be honest.

You could format the HDD to remove everything, but make sure you backup any other data on it first (if it is not a new drive).

marno17 · 4 Nov 2023 at 20:44

Thanks everyone for your input, I reactivated with the by phone option on my pc.