Completed all this, with no luck , Windows 11 Pro upgraded from a Windows 10 about a year ago.
I believe the current Microsoft system problems may be the cause .
My windows 11 is no longer activated
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Bert Young
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Reputation points
My Activation of windows 11 is broken overnight.. IE my pc says windows is not activated it worked fine yesterday
Windows for home | Other | Licensing and activation
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EmilyS726 280.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-11-12T21:33:10.1766667+00:00 Hello,
How did you obtain your license initially?
Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?
If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?
Is it originally a Win7/8 key?
Just to make sure, is motherboard changed?
Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:
slmgr /dlvThen share a screenshot please. Thanks!
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Bert Young 0 Reputation points
2026-11-13T12:36:24.0633333+00:00 Original License was a win 10 pro preinstalled.
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EmilyS726 280.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-11-13T13:14:16.06+00:00 Is this a custom built computer? I don't see an OEM license, which is typical for preinstalled Windows.
Launch Powershell (note, it is not Command Prompt, but Powershell), and run this code to see if you have an OEM license on the motherboard. No need to share the key if it returns a key. I just need to know if it returns anything.
(Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingService -Property OA3xOriginalProductKey).OA3xOriginalProductKey -
Bert Young 0 Reputation points
2026-11-13T13:51:09.2166667+00:00 The screenshot is from powershell as administrator.. the pc is a HP which was re-purposed for me to use at home. It originally came pre staged with windows and apps , I removed the apps and upgraded to win 11 when Microsoft supported free upgrades to win 11. I had no issues with the upgrade and everything has been fine for a year. Until yesterday which is when Microsoft started having issues. The pc does not show up in my Microsoft registered devices any more and the sticker LTSC Entry does not register at microsoft as valid.
I had no issues until yesterday when microsoft started having issues.
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Bert Young 0 Reputation points
2026-11-13T13:58:22.47+00:00 this command from powershell as administrator comes up blank... no output
(Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingService -Property OA3xOriginalProductKey).OA3xOriginalProductKey
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EmilyS726 280.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-11-13T14:04:51.89+00:00 Thank you Bert, for helping me collect the info.
So far, what we know is there's no OEM license embedded on the motherboard.
The slmgr /dlv doesn't register any license at the moment - it is showing a generic key.
You mentioned this was a repurposed computer. Was it repurposed for you by your work or school? Since you saw an LTSC sticker, it indicated that the former user could be on a volume license meant for an organization. If so, if the organization's volume licensing contract no longer exists with Microsoft, or if the license installation limit has been exceeded, your device can become inactivated. The number you saw on the sticker is not an actual license key. Can you tell me if that might be the case, that the computer came from a former organization?
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AI answer
2026-11-12T21:01:07.58+00:00 Try this in order:
- Check that the device is running Windows 11 and is fully up to date.
- Press Start, type winver, and confirm the version.
- Run the Activation troubleshooter.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot.
- This option appears only when Windows is not activated.
- An internet connection is required, and administrator access is required.
- If the device recently had a major hardware change, use the reactivation flow.
- In Start > Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot, select I changed hardware on this device recently.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the digital license.
- Select the current device from the list, check This is the device I’m using right now, then select Activate.
- If there was no digital license flow available, enter the product key.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
- Enter the 25-character key from the confirmation email, device packaging, or Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
- Verify the installed edition matches the license.
- In Start > Settings > System > Activation, check whether the device is running Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
- If the license is for a different edition, Windows will not activate.
- If the error is related to connectivity, verify date/time and network.
- For error 0x80072F8F, check Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time.
- Then run network troubleshooter from the taskbar search and fix any network issues.
- If activation still fails, check the specific error code shown on the Activation page and follow the matching fix:
- 0x800704CF: Windows did not find a valid license. Enter a valid product key or run the troubleshooter after hardware changes.
- 0xC004C003: The product key is not valid for this device. If the PC came with Windows preinstalled, contact the device manufacturer; if bought from a reseller, contact the reseller.
- 0xC004F034: The key is invalid or for a different Windows edition.
- 0x80004005: Run the Activation troubleshooter. If that does not work, a device reset might be required. Reset can remove apps and settings.
- 0x87e10bc6: Wait a few minutes, run the troubleshooter, then select Go to Microsoft Store if prompted.
If the troubleshooter does not fix it, contact support.
References:
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/activation/get-help-with-windows-activation-errors)
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/activation/using-the-windows-activation-troubleshooter)
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/activation/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change#if-you-have-a-digital-license,-run-the-activation-troubleshooter)
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/activation/activate-windows#reactivate-windows-11-after-a-hardware-change)
AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information. - Check that the device is running Windows 11 and is fully up to date.