Windows 10: Windows 11 Pro activation disappeared after updating the BIOS on a brand-new machine.

In Dec 2023 I purchased a new PC with preinstalled Windows 11 Pro, and it was properly activated after the OOBE installation.The activation disappeared after I updated the BIOS. I could not find any way to get it reactivated other than purchasing a new license from MS Store.Looks like there is no OEM key saved in the BIOS of this GMKtec M2 mini PC, nor there is a license key supplied with the documentation for the PC.The old PCs used to have a sticker on the box with the OEM license, but this is not happening anymore.How can I verify that the brand-new machine has a valid OEM license if they d

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Cannot activate Windows 11 Pro after Bios update, need help

Hello.

I need help re-activating Windows 11 Pro after updating the motherboard's BIOS.

I already troubleshooted the Activation in Windows Settings.

Customer support and Tech support tried all kinds of methods to help me activate it but none worked.

A Supervisor called me back and told me to ask for help here.

History of the computer (Desktop):

- I got a Digital License from Windows Insider Program on my previous desktop (Windows 10 Pro) some years ago.

- I upgraded all the hardware from the computer and installed Windows 11 Pro (about 2 months ago).

- I transferred the Digital License to the "new" computer and Windows 11 Pro was successfully activated.

- A few days ago I updated the BIOS on my (MSI) motherboard and this broke the Windows Activation.

- All the hardware in the computer is the same, except for the Bios Update.

- Again, Tech Support was not able to re-activate it. They told me that they can't help me any further since I don't have a receipt of purchase of Windows 10 and/or 11.

MS Support Case #: 1052799649

Thanks in advance.

 

Unable to transfer Windows 11 Pro retail license to a new machine

We are looking to buy 20-25 Windows Pro retail licenses for business use.

We had following goals

• Licenses will be owned by business and not become property of employee. License installed on machine of one employee can be removed from existing machine and applied to machine of new employee
  
• Licenses will be able to transfer between devices in case of device failure
  
• Don't want to enter agreement/contracts needed for volume licensing
  

For that purpose, we had determined that Windows Pro retail/fpp license which costs $199 will be suitable. I purchased 1 license to test if it will be able to transfer from Buy and Download Windows 11 Pro | Microsoft.

1. I created a virtual machine, installed windows 11 pro and applied license I purchased. It applied successfully and window become activate. At this point, this virtual machine was linked to Azure Active Directory domain. It shown message "Windows is activated with a digital license"
   
2. I created another virtual machine, installed 11 pro. Joined virtual machine to same Azure Active directory domain. Tried to applied same license which was applied to virtual machine 1. It gave error saying that it was already in use on another machine which was correct at this point
   
3. I then ran `slmgr /upk` and `slmgr /cpky` command on machine 1. It removed product key from machine 1. I then tried to apply same product key on machine 2. It still gave error that license is already in use which is not true and it should have activated.
   
4. I tried several things but nothing seem to resolve issue including restarting both machines several times,
   
5. Tried Reset this pc on machine 1 didn't work
   
6. Tried phone activation. Number shown for my country is not responding. I tried US phone number, it asked me all information including installation id but it also responded that key is already in use and didn't provide me with confirmation id
   

Another thing to note is that even if I run slmgr /upk on machine 1, if I click troubleshoot activation on it, it automatically activates that machine again. This leads me to believe that slmgr /upk command isn't fully removing product key from old machine

Left = Machine 1, Right = Machine 2

 

Updating BIOS with new fTPM for AMD CPU killed my activation

Updating BIOS of my MB with new fTPM for AMD CPU killed my activation of Windows 11 Pro. Re-activation not worked.