Windows 10: Windows 11 Digital License Activation Issue on New Device

I’ve been using Windows 11 Pro on my previous laptop, which originally came with Windows 10 Home. After reinstalling Windows 11, it would auto-activate Home, and I was able to upgrade to Pro using my digitally linked license through the Microsoft Store without issues. However, that laptop is now no longer functional. I’ve recently purchased a new laptop, but I’m unable to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro—there’s no option to upgrade in the Microsoft Store. Additionally, I had removed my previous device from my Microsoft account’s device list.Now, what can I do to transfer or reactivate it o

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Windows 11 Activation Issues With Digital License

I have a Windows 11 Pro digital license linked to my microsoft account. I'm using a new device now and trying to activate it. It's the same system (W11 Pro) and I've logged in with my Microsoft account. However, it is not activated. I thought that was because the old device still existed, so I tried using slmgr on the old system to revoke the key on there. However, after next reboot activation was back and the new device still wouldn't activate. I then tried removing the device from the Microsoft Account device list. After that, it was still in the list of connected devices. I then tried troubleshooting, but it said no devices could be found, even though my old system was still on the connected devices list. What should I do? Should I log out of my Microsoft account on the old system? I'm absolutely not going to buy a new license.

 

Windows 11 Digital License Activation Issue - Oct 2023

From what I've read, a retail digital license is tied to your microsoft account for a particular device (being digital, there's no key to enter, nor is there a key to deactivate). That's what I have.

The built-in method to activate after changing hardware is to use the troubleshooter and choose the option "I changed hardware on this device recently". That opens a page with the device(s) are linked to your microsoft account so you can choose the old device to be replaced with the new one, and subsequently activate the license.

The issue is, my old licensed PC does not appear in that list to switch the license from. I see a completely different PC in that list, (a laptop that is separately licensed via OEM) that has nothing to do with this system or my previous desktop. Presumably, I should see both my old PC there and I don't.

Support was very adamant that: 1) they see I have a retail licensed version and 2) they state there is a "global issue" causing activation problems for many people. If that's true, I am trying to find out more information since they couldn't give me a resolution on the phone at that time.

 

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?