Windows 10: Windows 11 Pro deactivated after BIOS update

Hi,My problem is that Windows 11 Pro deactivated itself after I updated my motherboard MSI Z790 Carbon Wi-fi BIOS. I updated it from 7D89v17 to 7D89v18. I haven't done any hardware changes so it should be still active. Troubleshooting doesn't help. I have been using local account so my current device is not listed on my Microsoft account. I also tried to use my Windows 10 Pro OEM activation key in the Change Product key section but it also fails. Previous BIOS updates worked fine. I have opened couple of service requests in Windows Get Help to get that agent to call me, but I haven't heard a

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Windows 11 Pro deactivated after BIOS update

Hi,

My problem is that Windows 11 Pro deactivated itself after I updated my motherboard (MSI Z790 Carbon Wi-fi) BIOS. I updated it from 7D89v17 to 7D89v18. I haven't done any hardware changes so it should be still active. Troubleshooting doesn't help. I have been using local account so my current device is not listed on my Microsoft account. I also tried to use my Windows 10 Pro OEM activation key in the Change Product key section but it also fails. Previous BIOS updates worked fine. I have opened couple of service requests in Windows Get Help to get that agent to call me, but I haven't heard anything yet.

BIOS update should not ever break Windows activation!!!

PC Specs:

i5-13600k, MSI Z790 Carbon Wi-fi, ASUS Strix RX 5700 XT

 

BIOS Update Deactivates Windows 0x803FABBD

Final Update:

Support got back to me to see if the issue was resolved (it wasn't) so some more troubleshooting attempts were made. Support tried to enter some keys using the slmgr utilities. Neither key worked.

So then they went on to taking half a dozen screenshots of my system configuration, proof of purchase, and uploaded these screenshots over their secure file exchange to send off to someone else to approve giving me a new key. After about 15 minutes support gave me a new key that allowed windows to activate (until I need to update my BIOS again).

Statistics

• Time to resolve issue from first call to support: 7 days
  
• Installations of Windows 11: 3 (two as directed by support, one to fix the mess that support made on my computer)
  
• Number of times support stuck around until the end of the Windows install: 0
  
• Number of support personnel spoken with: 5
  
• Phone calls made / received: 5
  
• Time spent on the phone: 3+ hours
  
• Number of times assured "This will work": 6+
  

Overall I'd give the experience an F.

The hours wasted getting my legitimate copy of Windows activated far exceeded the cost of purchasing a new Windows 11 Pro license at $200.

Microsoft clearly needs to figure out Windows activation after a BIOS update. This is a brutal user experience. Here's some examples of other people running into the the same exact issue. Just search for "windows activation after bios update" in Bing!

Redirecting

Windows loses activation after bios update, then refuses reactivation as claims license in use

Reddit - Dive into anything

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?...tivated-after-bios-upgrade-pro-z690-a.374548/

BIOS update deactivates windows license?

https://forums.evga.com/BIOS-update-causing-Windows-activation-issues-m3585166.aspx

https://forums.evga.com/Bios-Updates-Windows-Activations-m3582933.aspx

https://www.****/threads/windows-activation-after-bios-update.754455/

 

My Windows 11 Pro got deactivated after i updated BIOS to F27 on Gigabyte 690z Aorus Ultra motherboard. Please help!

My Windows 11 Pro got deactivated after i updated BIOS to F27 on Gigabyte 690z Aorus Ultra motherboard. Please help! I reenter the key but it says the windows cant be activated and sends me to store to buy a new one. Why should I? I already had one. Please help! Edit: I had windows 10 pro and updated to Windows 11 pro in January 2023 I believe.