This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(259.20000000000005, 39%, 35%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EJM%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Replaced Mother Board in very old HP Pavilion Desktop so as to be compatible with Win 11. Used Rufus to run Win 11 on it which worked fine until a recent Windows update. Decided to replace mother board, now Win 11 will not activate. I still see my computer under Devices in my Microsoft account. I tried all the online troubleshoot, including "I changed hardware on this device recently" but no luck. I tried all the suggestions the AI gave me, still no luck. I still have the original Product Key. Of course, it is for Win Vista HmPrm - Win7 HmPrm printed on the fancy label. I tried it and still no luck. After that I bought a new Windows 11 Pro key online from my employer and receive the product code via email. I thought for sure that would work, although it should not have been necessary. I did not care anymore just want to move on. Imagine my surprise when it did not work. I tried calling Microsoft support but seems anything having to do with activation gets routed to automated tools. How do I get Win Activation to work?
Are you sure you installed Pro edition. (Home is the default)
As already stated an upgraded licence cannot be used to activate windows 11. HP would usually supply an OEM licence and that is not transferrable to new hardware.
The previously free upgrade licence cannot be used after a motherboard change, that free upgrade licence dies with the old motherboard.
Download the free ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.
1
Please provide a screenshot of that app window and please hide your product key in the screenshot.
2
On the left of that app, click 'Check Edition', then enter your new Pro product key into that app.
Please provide a screenshot of that app window and please hide your product key in the screenshot.
This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Comments have been turned off. Learn more
This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Comments have been turned off. Learn more
Thank you both Dave and Neil.
Below is what ShowKeyPlus shows.
First pic is current state of PC after installed new Mother Board
Second pic is "Check Edition" Old Product key
Third pic is "Check Edition" New Product key for Windows 11 Pro purchased online from my Employer
Also I did get an Installation ID and followed directions online at aka.ms/aoh but the message returned was sorry could not find a digital license to transfer.
Neil, I never said I installed Windows 11 Pro. I installed Windows 11 from the Microsoft site online. Only after I could not get my old license to work I bought Windows 11 Pro license from my Employer online. I don't actually need Win 11 Pro but my Employer does not offer Win 11 Home. You can see from the image below when I enter in the Product key it says Win 10 RTM Professional Volume:MAK. Strange because it clearly says Win 11 Pro from the web site, so I don't know what is going on any more.
I sure would like to get it working properly, any further help is greatly appreciate.
Thank you for the screenshots.
The original key is an OEM licence, so that cannot be used to activate Windows on the new motherboard.
Your new product key is indicated as a volume (MAK) product key for Windows 10/11 Pro and you have Windows 11 Home installed.
What error is indicated if you try to insert that product key in the activation settings window?
Thank you once again Dave,
Shown below is the error message using the new product key. Also I have asked the vendor for help but no response yet.
Sorry, I was offline, that notification indicates there is a problem with the product key, if your boss provided the product key, it would be best to contact them to get another product key.
@Jim M You are trying to use a Pro licence with Home edition installed, you cannot do that. If you want to use a Pro licence the first thing you need to do is install Windows 11 Pro.
However as DaveM121 pointed out the product key shows the licence is a MAK type licence which isn't suitable as a personal consumer licence.
I got activated by purchasing Microsoft Windows 11 Home from the Microsoft Home Store.
Very disappointed that the copy I purchased from my employer did not work for me. The attached pdf here show the add I fell for: Windows 11 Pro ad..pdf I hope others review this post and avoid being taken in and fooled as I was.
I am glad you have resolved the problem, I checked that advert, there are many websites selling cheap Windows licenses, they are nearly always volume licenses that can only be used by an organization with a licensing agreement with Microsoft, they cannot be used by private consumers.
