activation issue after bios g15dk

M. Litton 0 Reputation points
2026-11-03T22:51:17.29+00:00

My computer originally came with Windows 10 Home, and I later purchased and upgraded it to Windows 11 Pro through the Microsoft Store.

After performing a BIOS update, Windows is no longer activated. I currently have a temporary product key installed, but Windows still will not activate.

I believe this should be an easy issue to resolve if I can reach the right support team. I purchased the Windows Pro upgrade directly from Microsoft, so I should not have to buy it again. The purchase is still visible in my Microsoft order history, but it does not display the product key.

The upgrade was purchased about seven years ago, and I'm fairly certain I no longer have the original email that contained the product key. I would appreciate assistance with reactivating my Windows Pro license and associating it with my device again.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
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  1. Igor Leyko 112.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-03T23:36:13.3566667+00:00

    Seems BIOS writers did the work inaccurately and your hardware IDs were changed, so Widows thinks it was moved to another PC.

    Upgrade thru Store is tied to hardware used for purchasing, this is why you did not get a product key. The Store sends an information about your purchase directly to the activation servers so there is no need to use a key.

    Store says before purchase that this license is tied to hardware, but this is not evident enough unfortunately.

    Please try methods described by AI, and you may ask support for an activation. https://support.microsoft.com/contactus/

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-03T22:52:34.29+00:00

    Reactivate the Microsoft Store Pro digital license through the Activation troubleshooter while signed in as an administrator with the Microsoft account associated with that license; a Store-purchased Home-to-Pro upgrade normally has no separate product key. ^1^

    Reactivate the Pro digital license

    1. Connect the PC to the internet.
    2. Open Start → Settings → Accounts → Your info.
    3. Confirm that:
      • The account shows Administrator.
      • It is the Microsoft account previously associated with the Windows digital license. For the hardware-change device list, this linked account matters; it may not necessarily be the same account merely showing the purchase.
    4. Open Settings → System → Activation and check the installed edition.
      • Continue below if it says Windows 11 Pro.
      • If it says Home or Enterprise, use the matching branch later in this answer.
    5. Select Troubleshoot. This button is displayed only while Windows is not activated.
    6. Select I changed hardware on this device recently.
    7. Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the digital license.
    8. Select the current PC, check This is the device I’m using right now, and select Activate. ^2^

    Because the temporary key did not activate Windows, do not keep reinstalling that key. The Microsoft Store Pro upgrade is a digital entitlement associated with the purchasing Microsoft account rather than a key displayed in Order history. ^1^

    If the installed edition is wrong

    The digital license can activate only the matching Windows edition. ^3^

    If Activation shows Windows 11 Home:

    1. Run Settings → System → Activation → Troubleshoot.
    2. If the troubleshooter finds the Pro digital license, select Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.
    3. Save your work, close applications, and select Start upgrade. ^4^

    If Activation shows Windows 11 Enterprise:

    A reported Store-upgrade issue can leave Enterprise installed instead of Pro. If the temporary key you already tried was not the generic Pro edition key below:

    1. Disconnect from the internet.
    2. Open Settings → System → Activation → Change product key.
    3. Enter the generic Windows Pro edition key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
    4. Restart the PC.
    5. Reconnect to the internet and sign in with the Microsoft account used to purchase the Pro upgrade.
    6. Return to Settings → System → Activation and check activation. ^5^

    That generic key changes the installed edition to Pro; it does not provide a license. Activation must come from the existing Store Pro digital entitlement. If that exact key has already been tried for the Enterprise-to-Pro correction, do not repeat it.

    If the license or device is not found

    Contact Microsoft customer support and request Windows activation support. Provide:

    • The Microsoft account used for the Store purchase.
    • The order number and purchase date visible in Order history.
    • A screenshot of Settings → System → Activation, including the edition and activation error code.
    • The device name shown under the Microsoft account.
    • The result of I changed hardware on this device recently.

    Microsoft’s activation guidance directs users to customer support when hardware-change reactivation still fails. ^2^ Do not purchase Pro again before support verifies the existing Store order and digital entitlement.

    References

    1. Find your Windows product key
    2. Windows 11
    3. Windows 11
    4. Windows 11
    5. Windows 11 cannot activate after upgrading it to Pro using Microsoft Store - Microsoft Q&A
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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