BIOS update deactivated windows

A BIOS update can be treated as a hardware change for activation, so Windows may no longer find the license that was previously matched to the device.

Try this in order:

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Activation.
2. Select Troubleshoot.
3. If the troubleshooter cannot fix it automatically, look for the option to reactivate after a hardware change.
4. Use that path only if the device was signed in with the same Microsoft account before the BIOS update.
5. If a valid product key was previously used on the device, in Activation select Change product key and enter that key.

Important cases:

• If Windows was activated with a digital license linked to the device, the troubleshooter and hardware-change reactivation path are the supported steps.
• If Windows was preinstalled and Windows now reports a major hardware change, a new license may be required in some cases, especially when the motherboard is treated as replaced hardware.
• If this is the first time Windows is being activated on this PC, a valid 25-character product key or digital license is required.

If the troubleshooter still only offers buying a new key, and the license was previously activated on this same device, contact Microsoft customer support for activation help.

References:

• Using the Windows Activation troubleshooter
• Fix Windows 10 activation error 0x803F7001
• Get help with Windows activation errors
• Why can't I activate Windows?