Windows 10: Cannot activate Windows 11 with store bought digital license after a BIOS update

Hi!ProblemWindows 11 activation does not work with error code 0XC004F211Previously I had a store bought PC with a preinstalled Windows 10 license. I associated my Microsoft account with it. Went perfectly well for years.New PC + new licenseNow I've assembled a new custom PC, installed Windows 11 Home and signed in with my Microsoft account. The activation didn't work out of the box then, so I've bought a new Windows 11 Home license in the Microsoft Store not long after the installation finished. see purchase verification taken from my account's order history.With that I didn't receive any ke

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How does a Windows 10 'digital license' activate the OS?

source: Activate Windows - Microsoft Support

Does MS digital license 'fingerprint' hardware information during the free upgrade / activation and store it (at Microsoft) , so that the next re-install queries MS for the fingerprint and activates Windows 10?

Thought the disk drive may change, I expect that none of the other fingerprinted hardware will change.

 

Windows 11 to 10 downgrade, digital license

Hello!

I've tried looking an answer through the forums and microsoft pages but my question still stands.

Two years ago I bought a prebuilt PC with windows 10 installed. Then I got an automatic upgrade to windows 11 which I need to downgrade back to 10 due to compatibility issues with VR software (more than 2 months have passed). My current windows 11 version is "activated with a digital license" but I haven't connected it with my microsoft account yet.

What steps should I follow to secure a windows activation after a clean windows 10 installation?

1. I know that I need to create an installation media for windows. Do I choose "upgrade computer now" or "create an installation media to use on another computer"?
   
2. Do I connect my windows 11 current digital license to my microsoft account now or wait until after I install windows 10 again?
   

Thanks in advance!

 

Windows 11 digital license

Hi Mike, I am , a fellow Microsoft user like you.

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're facing with reactivating your Windows 11 digital license.

First off, did your Windows 11 license work fine before the BIOS update?

When encountering error code 0xC004F211, it usually indicates a hardware change.

Have you tried selecting the "I changed hardware on this device recently" option when using the activation troubleshooter?

Here are the steps to follow:

> Go to Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot.

> The troubleshooter will indicate that "Windows can’t be activated on your device."

> Select "I changed hardware on this device recently," then click Next.

> Enter your connected Microsoft account and password, and then click Sign in. The troubleshooter will only work with the connected Microsoft account.

> From the list of devices linked to your Microsoft account, select the checkbox next to "This is the device I’m using right now."

> Click Activate.

Let me know how it goes, and let me know if you have any further questions.