Recent content by All2kool

This was me but why didn't that Product Key activate for me? Is it because that key was used once already to activate Windows 11 and the older Windows 10 key that did work never had? OEM: DM = PC specific keys found embedded in the Microsoft Data Management (MSDM) table of the firmware of...

You'll need to ask Microsoft why that worked but I'm guessing it's because this PC originally came with Windows 10 and was upgraded to Windows 11 Pro and the Windows 10 Home Product Key that I used was never used to upgrade to any version of Windows 11.

No need - I activated using a Windows 10 Home key off a dead unit I had in the closet.

What workarounds? Describe what may have been manipulated to make Windows 11 Pro work on this PC. The CPU is fast enough. It has TPM 2.0. I have two Windows 10 Desktops and 4 laptops in the closet and none of them met the TPM 2.0 requirement which is why I bought this one that did.

I don't see why the price would be a red flag. As I mentioned earlier, I doubt this PC was ever actually used. It was MINT when I opened the box. Not a spec of dust on the inside. It looks to have been an unused surplus unit.

I activated Windows 11 Pro using a Windows 10 Pro Product Key as this PC was updated from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro. See post #8 in this thread.

Problem SOLVED. I just activated using a Windows 10 Pro Product Key from an old dead unit I had in the closet.

I get that but NewEgg is a reputable seller as is Sunset Micro, who shipped the PC. I can't see them allowing sellers on their platform to pawn off PC's like this. I've bought 5 refurbished PC's from NewEgg over the years and never had an issue.

The BIOS clearly shows that I have TPM 2.0 and before I cloned to a new SSD, Windows 11 Pro was activated. I'm certain it would be still if I put the original SSD back in. How can Windows 11 Pro get activated on a PC that doesn't meet the MHR?

It will not activate using that key but it did try to. New question: Should I downgrade to Windows 11 Home and then try my OEM Windows 10 Home key? Is downgrading even an option?

Sure. When I first got it, I had a hard time believing it was refurbished. I used to work for Dell as a tech and I've built 15 PC's over the last 25 years. This unit was spotless - almost as if it was an unused surplus unit. Not speck of dust on the inside. Looked to be new old stock to me. No...

And it makes perfect sense that it doesn't even try to activate Windows 11 Pro with that Product Key.

If I don't answer the automated questions after opening the Installation ID window, the system eventually hangs up on me.

I bought this PC a month ago as a refurbished unit from NewEgg. Windows 11 Pro was already installed and activated if memory serves. After I cloned the new SSD, all seemed well. This morning when I woke the PC from Sleep, the watermark indicating that Windows was not activated appeared. My...