Windows 10: How can I activate Windows 11 Pro on my new pc?

Discus and support How can I activate Windows 11 Pro on my new pc? in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; I recently bought a new pc. On my old pc I had Windows 11 Pro Retail Digital License tied to my Microsoft account. I thought I would be good to use it... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by SamD9, Feb 2, 2025.

  1. SamD9 Win User

    How can I activate Windows 11 Pro on my new pc?


    I recently bought a new pc. On my old pc I had Windows 11 Pro Retail Digital License tied to my Microsoft account. I thought I would be good to use it on my new pc after I ran the Administrator commands slmgr /upk, slmgr /cpky and slmgr /rearm on my old pc first. I didn't get any error messages.Well I must be wrong, because Windows 11 Pro won't activate on my new pc for some reason. The troubleshooter and online help page does not help at all. It seems I need to speak to a Windows support person, but the IVR in the call centre just hangs up on me when it can't understand me or makes me do the

    :)
     
    SamD9, Feb 2, 2025
    #1

  2. Can't activate Windows 11 pro on my new PC

    My activation code that I used on my previous PC for Windows 11 pro was working fine, but after I bought a new PC and tried to activate Windows 11 pro on my new PC with the same activation code, it didn't work out. It tells me you don't have a valid digital key.
     
    Frank Smith_086, Feb 2, 2025
    #2
  3. br0shambo Win User
    How to activate Win 10 Home retail that was upgraded to Win 10/11 Pro on new PC

    I built a new PC and would like to transfer my retail licensing from my old PC to my new one.

    Timeline:

    • Old Custom PC was built.
    • Windows 10 Home edition was purchased from Microsoft Store 10/2020 for $139.00. I was provided a product key.
    • Windows 10 Home edition installed to Old PC.
    • Upgrade to Windows 10/11 Pro was purchased 08/2023.
    • Old PC was upgraded to Windows 10 pro. Activation status shows as linked to my Microsoft account. Using CMD to produce product key does not work. Using slmgr /dlv command produces information stating I have retail licensing.
    • New PC is built. Windows 11 Pro clean install and no previous information restored to this PC. Sign into Microsoft account during Windows setup.
    • Reset old PC and wipe storage the secure and slow way in preparation to sell to a friend.
    • New PC check activation status - NOT ACTIVE

    Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

    • Troubleshoot button
    • I changed hardware on this device recently:

      • How can I activate Windows 11 Pro on my new pc? y%2FAWo3FLgfl3RwC7VLqW2JYOX63YMKd9dm0lsQ0lEgzBFWHNYwvZcQq%2Bs8f0TXx6TKgRcFVVlK4mRJOa7STUnIVv8%3D.png

      • Old PC was removed from my account, but at one point showed up here prior to removal and when attempting to use it it also failed.
      • The other linked devices are old PC's or my other handheld PC.
    • Change product key > Entered my original Windows 10 Home product key from 10/2020 purchase and it does not work.

    Next Steps?

    • At this point I am trying to determine if my original license key was upgrade to be a 10/11 pro key or if it retains its Win 10 Home status and is only valid for a Win 10 Home installation. If this is the case and I were to install windows 10 home I do not see how I would be able to update to Windows 11 Pro again.
    • I contact support.... Multiple times to no avail.
      • First call - confirmed all the same basic steps as above then transferred me to installation support. Installation support answered then hung up the phone at the end of my explanation.
        • I gave up for the night as this was ~11:30 PM
      • Today I have gone through all the same steps again with another agent before being transferred to technical support. Tech support remotes into my device and goes the the slmgr array of commands in attempt to resolve and when I get a "core error" tells my my installation of Windows 11 Pro is corrupt and provides an email with a set of instructions for a "custom installation". Steps are followed to go through the normal procedure of doing essentially a Windows 11 clean install via downloading the Windows 11 Pro ISO and navigating to setup. I opted to reinstall Windows 11 Pro and keep no files.
        • Clean install I opted to not restore any previous backups and setup as a new PC. After logging into my Microsoft account during setup I again navigate to Activation to arrive at the same result. Not Active.
        • Basic troubleshooting steps again leaves me in the same boat.
        • Support hung up as soon as I got past the initial robo voice questions.
        • Support will no longer even give me a callback when going through the "Get Help" options where I provide my phone number.
      • For context... at no point was I even slightly rude or impatient and opted to record every call.

    Apologies for the novel, but would rather provide all the information up front. At this point I do not know where I am at in the support process and feel after spending nearly $250, after tax, on retail licensing I am being pressured with lack of support difficulties to spend another $200 on new licensing as I am many hours deep into this now with 0 resolution.
     
    br0shambo, Feb 2, 2025
    #3
  4. How can I activate Windows 11 Pro on my new pc?

    will windows activate if my old pc has windows 10 pro activate will it activate on a new windows 11 pro pc?

    My old dell desktop pc is windows 10 pro and it is activated it is a retail version. I ordered a new gaming pc and it comes with windows 11 pro but unactivated if I log in to my new gaming pc with my old windows 10 pro Microsoft account, will it have my new gaming pc already activated even if i log into my new gaming pc with an microsoft account already linked to windows 10 pro.
     
    poop poop1, Feb 2, 2025
    #4
Thema:

How can I activate Windows 11 Pro on my new pc?

Loading...
  1. How can I activate Windows 11 Pro on my new pc? - Similar Threads - activate Pro

  2. Upgrade Windows 10 Pro Licence to Windows 11 Pro Activation New Install

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Upgrade Windows 10 Pro Licence to Windows 11 Pro Activation New Install: I have Windows 10 Pro installed on this machine. I installed a new SSD and installed Windows 11 on it with the intention of migrating from 10 Pro to 11 Pro. However, I can't activate Windows 11. For one, it's showing as Windows 11 Home, but also there's no option to mark it...
  3. Upgrade Windows 10 Pro Licence to Windows 11 Pro Activation New Install

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Upgrade Windows 10 Pro Licence to Windows 11 Pro Activation New Install: I have Windows 10 Pro installed on this machine. I installed a new SSD and installed Windows 11 on it with the intention of migrating from 10 Pro to 11 Pro. However, I can't activate Windows 11. For one, it's showing as Windows 11 Home, but also there's no option to mark it...
  4. Upgrade Windows 11 Home not activated to Windows 11 Pro key purchased

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Upgrade Windows 11 Home not activated to Windows 11 Pro key purchased: I have built a new computer and had downloaded Windows 11 Home and installed it - I had not purchased it or activated it. A couple of days later I purchased a Windows 11 Pro / Office 2024 bundle and have a key. My current set up will not recognize the key I did double check...
  5. Upgrade Windows 11 Home not activated to Windows 11 Pro key purchased

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Upgrade Windows 11 Home not activated to Windows 11 Pro key purchased: I have built a new computer and had downloaded Windows 11 Home and installed it - I had not purchased it or activated it. A couple of days later I purchased a Windows 11 Pro / Office 2024 bundle and have a key. My current set up will not recognize the key I did double check...
  6. Activation Help: Upgrading Win 11 Home to Pro with M365 Biz Premium License

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Activation Help: Upgrading Win 11 Home to Pro with M365 Biz Premium License: Hi everyone,I'm hoping to get some help and clarification on a frustrating activation issue I'm facing with a new device. I'd appreciate any insight from those familiar with Microsoft licensing or who have faced a similar problem.The Goal:Upgrade a brand-new PC from its...
  7. Activation Help: Upgrading Win 11 Home to Pro with M365 Biz Premium License

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Activation Help: Upgrading Win 11 Home to Pro with M365 Biz Premium License: Hi everyone,I'm hoping to get some help and clarification on a frustrating activation issue I'm facing with a new device. I'd appreciate any insight from those familiar with Microsoft licensing or who have faced a similar problem.The Goal:Upgrade a brand-new PC from its...
  8. I can't activate Windows 11 Pro

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    I can't activate Windows 11 Pro: I had Windows 10 and updated to Windows 11, and when I switched to Windows 11, I got this error. Then I entered the activation key, but I keep getting the same error even with the key entered. The key was for Windows 10 Pro, but as I said, this error appeared even before I...
  9. I can't activate Windows 11 Pro

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    I can't activate Windows 11 Pro: I had Windows 10 and updated to Windows 11, and when I switched to Windows 11, I got this error. Then I entered the activation key, but I keep getting the same error even with the key entered. The key was for Windows 10 Pro, but as I said, this error appeared even before I...
  10. activate window 10 pro

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    activate window 10 pro: How can I get a key to activate Windows 10Pro? My laptop is OEM Lenovo and the sticker of the Windows 10pro has lost long time. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/activate-window-10-pro/3a52521f-cd0b-40fa-b1c3-19ceb017927f