Activating Win 11 after MB change


nightowl17

nightowl17

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Windows 11
When I went to settings and activate I cannot get to enter new key or trouble shoot ,when I click on either I get the spinning wheel for about 3 seconds then nothing ,How can I activate Win11 with doing a clean install of 10 ?
 

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Windows 11AMD Ryzen 9 790064 Gigs DDR 5ON Board
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
Motherboard
ROG Strix B650-f
Memory
64 Gigs DDR 5
Graphics Card(s)
ON Board
Sound Card
ON Board
Hard Drives
2 M2 1TB
I think that you will have to do a clean instillation of either 10 or 11 and use your Windows 10 key. It works just fine for Windows 11.
 

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Windows 11 Home- RP - 26H2 -26300.9818AMD Ryzen 5 5600GG.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16Nvidia geforce gtx titan x
OS
Windows 11 Home- RP - 26H2 -26300.9818
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Banana Junior 5600-G Series
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Motherboard
Asus ROG Strix B550-F
Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB 4x16
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia geforce gtx titan x
Monitor(s) Displays
28" ASUS VP28U 4k
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
Primary SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus
PSU
EVGA BQ 700w 80+ Bronze
Case
Zalman i3 NEO
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ARCTIC Freezer 7 X
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Corsair
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Amazon Generic with Cord
Internet Speed
Download: 295.11 mbps Upload: 65.35 mbps T-Mobile Internet
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Firefox and Edge
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MS - Defender
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Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1
If you have a real product key (not generic) for Windows 10 you can use it to activate Windows 11 by opening a command prompt with admin privileges ("Run as Administrator") and enter the following commands:

Code: 
slmgr /ipk <enter your product key here>
slmgr /ato

Unfortunately, the GUI interface for activation from the settings menu is broken in Windows 11 right now. I can't find a way to start the activation troubleshooter, yet, from command line. So if you need to use the activation troubleshooter to transfer a license from old motherboard to new motherboard, you will have to use Windows 10 to do that.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT32GBEVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 EducationIntel i7-8550U32GBNvidia Geforce MX150
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
See the information from Microsoft below. This article is for Windows 10 but I'm guessing that it will likely still apply to Windows 11...

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change | Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

EDIT: I've tried this in the past and it worked flawlessly after I made major changes to a system and reinstalled Windows.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 26H2Intel i7-14650HX32 GBBuilt-in Intel Graphics
    OS
    Win11 Pro 26H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic Matrix M5
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick (an especially compact GaN charger)
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 26H2Intel i7-1255U16 GBIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro 26H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    4 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging Using an Anker 160W Charger
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
hsehestedt said:
See the information from Microsoft below. This article is for Windows 10 but I'm guessing that it will likely still apply to Windows 11...

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change | Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

EDIT: I've tried this in the past and it worked flawlessly after I made major changes to a system and reinstalled Windows.
Click to expand...
Except that it is currently broken in Windows 11....
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT32GBEVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 EducationIntel i7-8550U32GBNvidia Geforce MX150
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
NavyLCDR said:
it is currently broken in Windows 11....
Click to expand...
The GUI in Settings is broken, that's true. However that's not the only way to set a product key. From a Command Prompt (Admin) slmgr /ipk to change the key, followed by slmgr /ato to activate still does work in W11, I tested that here after you suggested it. Could that help with reactivating after a hardware change?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeAMD Athlon Silver 3050U8GBRadeon Graphics
    OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to lid hinges starting to break up this laptop has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven in 'Other systems' to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    I've now clean installed 25H2 and used Garlin's scripts to update Secure Boot to CA 2023 and revoke the PCA 2011 certificates. It's new role is to test secure boot issues.

    Info for 2021-2026:
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel® Core™ i5-520M8GB(integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround.

    In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround.
    Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.
    In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media.
    Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package.
    Upgraded to 26H2 by Enablement Package.

    Also running Insider Experimental 263xx and 29xxx builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.
  • My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR was a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e (1st gen) type 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device. This has now been sold. It has been replaced by my System Eight.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Experimental 263xx and 29xxx builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025, 26H2 on 29th September 2026.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, 1920x1080 touchscreen, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine. As its new home has an existing digital licence for Pro I've been able to upgrade the migrated OS from Home to Pro.
    29 Sept. 2026 Feature Update to 26H2 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM EIGHT is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e (5th gen) type 20LN, Celeron N4120, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, a supported device for Windows 11. Currently running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Experimental 263xx and 29xxx builds as native boot vhdx.
Bree said:
The GUI in Settings is broken, that's true. However that's not the only way to set a product key. From a Command Prompt (Admin) slmgr /ipk to change the key, followed by slmgr /ato to activate still does work in W11, I tested that here after you suggested it. Could that help with reactivating after a hardware change?
Click to expand...
Only if the user has a real, non-generic product key from their previous Windows installation.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT32GBEVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 EducationIntel i7-8550U32GBNvidia Geforce MX150
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Ended up going the long route by installing 10 and then 11 ,Thanks for all the input.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 9 790064 Gigs DDR 5ON Board
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
Motherboard
ROG Strix B650-f
Memory
64 Gigs DDR 5
Graphics Card(s)
ON Board
Sound Card
ON Board
Hard Drives
2 M2 1TB
A year ago, I was having trouble with my most used pc which was on the slow lane for W10. I got fed up and changed the motherboard, cpu and ram (Asrock A320M-HDV r4.0, Athlon 3000G, and 8 Gb DDR4 2400), a low end, low power consumption but plenty for the internet. When I installed W10pro from an ISO and visited my Microsoft account, I was simply asked whether I had changed my hardware and Windows was activated. Having the Microsoft account and being on the slow lane might have been factors in my favour.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    W11 pro betaAthlon 3000G16Gb Crucial DDR4 2400onboard cpu
    OS
    W11 pro beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    home built
    CPU
    Athlon 3000G
    Motherboard
    Asrock A320M-HDV r4.0
    Memory
    16Gb Crucial DDR4 2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard cpu
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 22EA53
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD black SN750 M2 500Gb
    PSU
    500W Seasonic core 80+gold non modular
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R2
    Cooling
    front 2 x 120mm rear 100mm stock psu
    Internet Speed
    135/20
    Browser
    Firefox and edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Security and free Malwarebytes

  • At a glance

    W11 pro 64 beta (from W10 pro system builder ...Ryzen 7 5700G4 x 8Gb Corsair Vengeance LPX 3000 DDR4onboard cpu
    Operating System
    W11 pro 64 beta (from W10 pro system builder pack)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    MSI B450 tomahawk max II
    Memory
    4 x 8Gb Corsair Vengeance LPX 3000 DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    onboard cpu
    Sound Card
    motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    WD 1Tb Black M2 SN850X on Asus hyper M2 X16 max V2 card
    PSU
    Be Quiet 400 semi modular 80+gold
    Case
    Coolermaster Silencio 650
    Cooling
    140mm front, 120 rear Akasa Vegas Chroma AM
    Internet Speed
    135/20
    Browser
    edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD plus Malwarebytes free
tinmar49 said:
A year ago, I was having trouble with my most used pc which was on the slow lane for W10. I got fed up and changed the motherboard, cpu and ram (Asrock A320M-HDV r4.0, Athlon 3000G, and 8 Gb DDR4 2400), a low end, low power consumption but plenty for the internet. When I installed W10pro from an ISO and visited my Microsoft account, I was simply asked whether I had changed my hardware and Windows was activated. Having the Microsoft account and being on the slow lane might have been factors in my favour.
Click to expand...
Same thing for my Son. He bought new MB and other new hardware and also a Retail Win10 Pro. I suggested he first install windows 10 pro from the newest Media Creation Tool on the new system and use his MS account to activate. Worked perfect Windows picked up the change hardware and was activated. He thought he was going to lose his original copy he had bought on the crashed older MB. He returned the recently bought win 10 pro and got a refund. Only fair seems the old MB could not be used anymore.

cheers
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel Core i7-11700K Desktop Processor 8 CoresCorsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 DR...ASUS GTX ROG STRIX 1080 8GB
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS
CPU
Intel Core i7-11700K Desktop Processor 8 Cores
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Strix Z590-A Gaming WiFi LGA 1200
Memory
Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 DRAM 3600MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX ROG STRIX 1080 8GB
Sound Card
Sound Blaster Z SE
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS VG34VQL1B plus a Samsung 60" Smartv
Screen Resolution
3440x1440, 165Hz
Hard Drives
Samsung 980 Series - (OS)1TB Pro Gen4 NVMe M.2, 1TB Gen3. x4 NVMe 1.4 - M.2, WD 1TB, WD 500GB, WD 350GB
PSU
Silverstone Olympia OP1000W PSW
Case
Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Cooling
Noctua NH-D15 SSO2 D-Type Premium CPU Cooler, NF-A15 x 2 PWM Fans
Keyboard
Corsair K70 RGB
Mouse
Logitech 310 wireless
Internet Speed
1 GB
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
ESET Internet Security
Other Info
Testing Windows 10 Pro on 350GB drive
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