Windows 10: Can't activate Windows Pro license

Discus and support Can't activate Windows Pro license in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; I bought Windows 10 pro edition on 2016 at Microsoft Store. All good until now that I have changed my motherboard and I can't install it. I apply the... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by JavierVerdugo, Oct 16, 2023.

  1. Can't activate Windows Pro license


    I bought Windows 10 pro edition on 2016 at Microsoft Store. All good until now that I have changed my motherboard and I can't install it. I apply the troubleshoot and I follow the instructions, just to find that there is an error. If I hit on Learn More it brings me to the same help web page which tells me to open the troubleshoot and follow the instructions, I am end up in a loop hole. Help? My previous computer with Windows Pro license CPU die, and I have changed everything to this point. How can I unbind that license and open it again for my new computer?

    :)
     
    JavierVerdugo, Oct 16, 2023
    #1

  2. License activation issue: Your windows license will expire soon

    Windows 10 Activation reports your license will soon expire.

    This can happen for a number of reasons:

    • You copied a Windows 10 Pro off the Internet (usually a volume license - organization - key) and changed on a Windows 10 Home installation. Windows 10 Pro is not free. If this is what you did, you will need to reinstall the previous edition
      or version you were running. You inadvertently installed the wrong edition.
      • The copy of Windows 10 you download and upgrade from will correspond with the edition of Windows you have installed, if it does not, this is why you might be experiencing problems activating:

    • Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.0 Core, Windows 8.1 Core will install Windows 10 Home

    • Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8.0 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro will installWindows 10 Pro

    If the edition of Windows 10 installed does not correspond with the edition of Windows 7 or Windows 8 you were previously running, then you need to reinstall the right edition.

    Did you purchase the laptop brand new out of the box?

    You might want to reinstall Windows 10 Home to resolve the problem.

    Step 1: How
    to download official Windows 10 ISO files


    Step 2:

     
    Andre Da Costa, Oct 16, 2023
    #2
  3. Free upgrade from Windows 11 Home to 11 Pro using 10 Pro retail license

    My current computer has an activated Windows 10 Pro retail license. I'm planning to replace my current computer by buying a new computer that comes preinstalled with Windows 11 Home, and then I understand I can use my 10 Pro license to upgrade to 11 Pro for free.

    What's the most straightforward way of accomplishing this? The obvious approach that comes to mind involves two steps:

    1. Reinstall Windows 10 Pro on new computer and activate with my existing retail license.
    2. Upgrade new computer to 11 Pro for free through the settings.
    Is there a simpler way of doing this without having to reinstall Windows 10? For example, would it be possible to somehow "trade in" my Windows 10 Pro license for 11 Pro? I'm fairly new to Windows licensing and am just trying to understand what is possible/best practice, with minimal effort.
     
    Zachary100, Oct 16, 2023
    #3
  4. Xylee Del Win User

    Can't activate Windows Pro license

    Windows 10 Pro's license completely glitched out after changing motherboard and CPU

    We appreciate your reply. For us to know more about the issue, kindly answer the following questions:

    • Did you manage to deactivate Windows 10 Pro first before replacing your motherboard?
    • Do you still have the written copy of your product key?
    • Are you using the same hard disk where your Windows 10 Pro product key has been activated? If not, where is this hard disk?
    • Did you replace your hard disk along with your motherboard and CPU?
    • What is the edition of Windows activated on your computer? To know, press Windows + S. Type About, and click it.

    Meanwhile, we recommend that you deactivate and uninstall your Windows 10 Pro license from your old motherboard and reinstall it back on your machine using the steps below:

    Step 1: Check your your Windows 10 Pro product key using Windows Powershell or Command prompt. Follow the steps below and note down your product key:

    • Press Windows key + X.
    • Click Command Prompt (admin).
    • Enter the following command: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
      and press Enter:
    • The product key will be revealed, copy the product key.

    Step 2: Deactivate and uninstall the Windows 10 Pro Product Key from the old motherboard since it has your license. Follow the steps below:

    • To know the Activation ID of your Windows installation. Open a command prompt using the Windows search box and type in
      slmgr.vbs /dlv and press Enter. This will display the detailed license information for the installed operating system.
    • A window will open up and will give you details about your Windows licensing and activation status. Look for
      Activation ID and note it down.
    • On the same command prompt window, type in slmgr /upk <your Activation ID> and press
      Enter. This uninstalls the product key of the current Windows edition. After a restart, the system will be in an Unlicensed state unless a new product key is installed.

    Step 3: Activate your Windows 10 Pro to your machine after uninstalling it due to a hardware change, follow the steps below:

    • Open a command prompt using the Windows search box and type in
      slmgr /ipk <Windows Product Key> and press Enter.
    • If the key is valid and applicable, the key is installed. If a key is already installed, it is silently replaced. If the key is invalid, an error is returned.
    • Open your Control Panel you will see Windows is activated message.

    Let us know if you need further assistance.
     
    Xylee Del, Oct 16, 2023
    #4
Thema:

Can't activate Windows Pro license

Loading...
  1. Can't activate Windows Pro license - Similar Threads - Can't activate Pro

  2. Computer hardware changed, can't activate Windows Pro license

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Computer hardware changed, can't activate Windows Pro license: Recently, my laptop has changed the SSD, then I need to reinstall Windows on the laptop with new SSD, my laptop can't activate the the Windows 10/11 Pro license. The error message said it cause by the laptop hardware was changed.I try the Troubleshoot, Get Help Online but all...
  3. Computer hardware changed, can't activate Windows Pro license

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Computer hardware changed, can't activate Windows Pro license: Recently, my laptop has changed the SSD, then I need to reinstall Windows on the laptop with new SSD, my laptop can't activate the the Windows 10/11 Pro license. The error message said it cause by the laptop hardware was changed.I try the Troubleshoot, Get Help Online but all...
  4. Can't activate Windows Pro license

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Can't activate Windows Pro license: I bought Windows 10 pro edition on 2016 at Microsoft Store. All good until now that I have changed my motherboard and I can't install it. I apply the troubleshoot and I follow the instructions, just to find that there is an error. If I hit on Learn More it brings me to the...
  5. Can't activate Windows Pro license

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Can't activate Windows Pro license: I bought Windows 10 pro edition on 2016 at Microsoft Store. All good until now that I have changed my motherboard and I can't install it. I apply the troubleshoot and I follow the instructions, just to find that there is an error. If I hit on Learn More it brings me to the...
  6. Can't activate Windows -10 Pro License

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Can't activate Windows -10 Pro License: Hello,Our environment as follows,Windows 10 Pro N for workstation.Version - 21H1OS Build - 19043When i tried to active the windows license key under Settings > Update and Security > Activation.Press the Change Product key.Entered our License key But it shows below error. We...
  7. Can't activate Windows -10 Pro License

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Can't activate Windows -10 Pro License: Hello,Our environment as follows,Windows 10 Pro N for workstation.OS Build version - 19043When i tried to active the windows license key under Settings > Update and Security > Activation.Press the Change Product key.Entered our License key But it shows below error. We have no...
  8. Can't activate Windows -10 Pro License

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Can't activate Windows -10 Pro License: Hello,Our environment as follows,Windows 10 Pro N for workstation.OS Build version - 19043When i tried to active the windows license key under Settings > Update and Security > Activation.Press the Change Product key.Entered our License key But it shows below error. We have no...
  9. Windows 10 Pro License Activation.

    in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade
    Windows 10 Pro License Activation.: Hello Guys I have a pc in which at the right bottom corner it says Activate Windows. I know that I have to again activate Windows but my question is , will anything be changed or will everything get erased if I upgrade Windows again ? Like I have downloaded many pictures ,...
  10. Windows 10 pro license activation

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Windows 10 pro license activation: I am using Dell Vostro which came with Microsoft 10 Home. Now after several update it is showing that the window is not activated. Troubleshooting in activation page did not give any solution. The 25 digit product key is there in mask in the activation page. But in any way I...