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My Windows 11 Pro is RETAIL channel (proved by slmgr /dlv)
I upgraded the motherboard, and the troubleshooter ('I changed hardware') doesn't show my old PC
I don't have a 25-digit key because it's a digital license from Win10
Telephone activation is dead. The support page blocks me with AADSTS500200 error.
Please help reset the hardware binding on my digital license in the backend
the digital license is connected with my Microsoft account and I'm using it as the login account as administrator
1
Where did you get your Windows licence, did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer?
Or is your Windows licence based on a free upgrade from a previous Windows 7 or 8 licence?
2
Download the free ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.
Please provide a screenshot of that app window and please hide any product key in the screenshot.
Hi Dave, thank you for your quick response. Yes, it was a free upgrade from my old Win7, and I have been using this digital license linked to my Microsoft account for almost 10 years.
I had to replace the motherboard and CPU because my old hardware died (and the old CPU wouldn't support Win11). As a regular user, I didn't realize this would cause activation issues. It took me 3 days of troubleshooting before reaching out here. I appreciate that you immediately understood the situation without me needing to explain everything from scratch.
How can I get my activation restored on my new OS? I would really appreciate your help to keep using my long-time account.
Thank you for that information.
If your licence is based on a free upgrade from a previous Windows 7 licence, that is causing the activation errors.
A while ago Microsoft changed the licensing rules, and after they changed the rules, it is no longer possible to activate Windows 10 or 11 on new hardware with a licence based on a free upgrade from a previous Windows 7 or 8 licence, they indicate the free upgrade dies with the previous motherboard.
Thank you for confirming this, Dave.
It is very disappointing to learn that Microsoft retroactively changed the terms of the 'free upgrade' . It feels like a broken promise. I appreciate your time in clarifying this, so I can explore other options to resolve it.
Glad to help!
