Windows 10: Digital license of Windows 11 activasion

i bought a new PC and took a harddisk from the old one. My digital license of Windows 11, which i boght from Microsoft Store doesn`t activate.

:)

 

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!

 

Digital license

Thats how licensing works with Windows 10, the digital license is attached to your Microsoft Account and makes it easy to reactivate Windows 10 in the event you reinstall it.

Learn more:

• Use a Digital
  License to Manage and Activate Windows 10

 

Unlink Windows 11 Pro Digital License

Thanks so much for your help. That really clarifies my situation.

Using this article as a guide, my plan is to:

1. Replace Windows 11 with Ubuntu on the laptop that currently has the Windows 11 Pro retail digital license activated on it (even if reverting to Windows Home is an option, I just prefer Ubuntu on this computer for a programming environment). I will not yet remove the 'device' in my Windows account.
   
2. After assembling my new PC, I will install Windows 11 via a USB drive.
   
3. When prompted I will choose the "I don't have a key option"
   
4. I will log in with my Microsoft account
   
5. I will go to Activation Settings > Troubleshoot
   
6. I will click "I changed hardware on this device recently"
   
7. I will chose the new PC from the list of available PCs
   
8. I will check "This is the device I'm using right now" and click "Activate." This will enable Windows 11 Pro on the new PC and deactivate the installation on the old laptop (which at this point will be running Ubuntu anyways)
   

Does that sounds like a good plan?