Windows 10: Trouble Reusing Windows 11 Pro Product Key/Retail License on New VM After Original VM...

I'm encountering an issue with my Windows 11 Pro product key/retail license. Initially, I used this key to activate Windows on a virtual machine VM. Unfortunately, that VM isntance became corrupted, preventing me from deactivating the windows properly. I've since created a new VM and attempted to activate it using the same product key. However, I'm receiving an error message stating that the product key is already in use, likely because I couldn't deactivate it on the original VM.Has anyone else faced this problem? What steps can I take to resolve this issue and successfully activate Windows

:)

 

Reusing Win11 license keys between test VMs

Hello, this is Emily.

Are these retail keys? Where did you purchase them? Did they actually come as product key format, or digital license format?

If it is digital license, you will need to treat it like a hardware change case. On the new VM, go to Settings > System > Activation, use the troubleshooter and select hardware change option. Then transfer it from old device name to new.

If it is actual product key format, you would want to uninstall the key first on the old using command prompt admin mode:

slmgr /upk

slmgr /cpky

But if your VM was already scrapped, that can be a challenge.. you will need to seek manual activation by running tthe following command:

slui 4

 

Reusing Win11 license keys between test VMs

I've purchased 4 Win11Pro license keys with an intent to use them on my test VM set up.

Now scrapped the VMs and would like to use the keys on other VMs.

How can I do that?

When I try to activate the new VM the key is not accepted.

Thanks

 

Windows 10 license deleted with VM

I had a Hyper-V session running in which I licensed Windows 10 on the VM.

I have since deleted the VM.

I have started a new VM instance and I would like to somehow reuse the same license. Can it be done?

All VM's (old or new) are on the same computer.

Thanks