I have issue on the activation

dmdilks · Feb 20, 2024

I have issue on the activation. This problem has been on the last 3 computers I have install windows 11 on.

OK the problem: I install windows 10 and and activate it. I do a upgrade to windows 11. Both on windows 10 & 11 it tells me that windows is activated with a digital key.

Then I do a clean install and when I get back into windows. It then tells me they didn't find a windows key attach to the computer. I have to put the key back in. Then it is fine. Plus I have tried this with two different version of windows 11 too. 21H2 & 23H2.

Plus I'm not jumping on windows just yet for the problem. Two of the boards have been the new AM5 boards. The other one is a AM4 board that has been running windows 10 for over 6 months.

Plus I have been installing windows from 3.1. This the 1st time of all the windows 10 & 11 that this has happen too. I do have a theory on this, but I'm going to wait and see what other people have to say.

antspants · Feb 20, 2024

Hi, @dmdilks

dmdilks said:
I do have a theory on this, but I'm going to wait and see what other people have to say.

Members will be better equiped to help you if they have all the information. Your theory is derived from the fact you know your system and all things related. Playing “Guess what I’m thinking?” isn’t helpful.
What is your theory?

antspants · Feb 20, 2024

Did you install with a local account or Microsoft account? When installing, did you insert you license key or use your Microsoft credentials?

TechnoMage2021 · Feb 20, 2024

I will never understand some peoples preoccupation with "Activation".
Why do YOU feels it's important?

antspants · Feb 20, 2024

TechnoMage2021 said:
I will never understand some peoples preoccupation with "Activation".
Why do YOU feels it's important?

Do you use pirated copies of Windows?
If I pay for a license, I want to ensure my product is activated. I want to know that if I ever have to contact Microsoft, I get support without being questioned.
Your question is a tad bizarre.

sdowney717 · Feb 20, 2024

I always feel like this is the safest way, link it to your online MS account.
Don't leave it as activated with a digital license only as then if your hardware changes enough like the MB, the activation is gone and you need a license key to fix it.
At least that is what I think.

dmdilks · Feb 22, 2024

OK I'm a retired Microsoft Partner. I have been installing windows on computers for almost 20 yrs.

The point I'm making is if I have a computer that I just installed windows 10 pro. It shows it has a digital key on it. The computer is all updated with the latest updates too. I then upgrade it to windows 11 pro. Plus it is up to date too with all the latest updates. It shows that I have digital key on the computer.

I then do a clean install of windows 11 pro. When I get back into windows it is showing me that windows didn't find a key attach to the computer. I have to reinstall the Key again. Really no big deal. But why should I have to reinstall the key again. Now for the hell of it I did another clean install, but this time it show that I have a digital key attach to the computer. Plus doing this with a off line account too.

My theory is that yes if I have a online account it might of not have happen. I build a lot computers every year. So I do offline accounts. So I have everything up to date. So when the person buys it, all they have to do change the name and setup account if they want.

Here is another Glitch with windows again. Like I ran into windows 10 a few yrs ago. That Glitch was basically the same thing here.

On that one if I did a clean with 20h2 it showed a digital key. If I did a clean install with 21h1 I have to reinstall the key. If I did a clean install with 21h2 it showed a digital key. Till this day that has never been fix it is still the same.

Plus I know I can use at this time a windows 10 key to activate windows 11. But when does that stop. I could use a windows 8 key to activate windows 10, but that has stop. You can't do that any more.

The thing is there is a Glitch here and will it be fix more likely not. Sorry but more then 50% of the people that I sell computers hate Microsoft. Yes they have to use the OS, but they hate it where Microsoft tries to control everything they are doing.

Bree · Feb 22, 2024

dmdilks said:
I know I can use at this time a windows 10 key to activate windows 11. But when does that stop.

I don't think that's ever going to stop. As far as licencing is concerned MS treat all keys and digital licences as being for Windows 10/11. Under the hood the W11 kernel is basically the same as W10.

Megahertz · Feb 22, 2024

Is your Win 10 license a Retail or OEM?

dmdilks · Feb 22, 2024

Megahertz said:
Is your Win 10 license a Retail or OEM?

At this point it really doesn't matter because it was the 1st time use of the key. Two of the boards were brand new. So neither had key on them and I have to use a new key. I have draw full of new keys. LOL

TraderGary · Feb 22, 2024

dmdilks said:
At this point it really doesn't matter because it was the 1st time use of the key. Two of the boards were brand new. So neither had key on them and I have to use a new key. I have draw full of new keys. LOL

Where does your drawer full of new keys come from? This could explain a lot.

NavyLCDR · Feb 22, 2024

TechnoMage2021 said:
I will never understand some peoples preoccupation with "Activation".
Why do YOU feels it's important?

Because the EULA requires it and the forum rules state that we respect the EULA on this forum, unlike you.

Try3 · Feb 22, 2024

dmdilks said:
I have issue on the activation. This problem has been on the last 3 computers I have install windows 11 on.

OK the problem: I install windows 10 and and activate it. I do a upgrade to windows 11. Both on windows 10 & 11 it tells me that windows is activated with a digital key.

Then I do a clean install and when I get back into windows. It then tells me they didn't find a windows key attach to the computer

If you are talking about what happens during installation, that dialog has a button to let you skip that step entering a product key if your hardware has previously been activated.
Then, after installation is done, you should be able to go online and just let it sit there until your Windows has contacted the MS activation servers without any action being taken by you.

Exactly what are you doing during / after activation that demonstrates that the computer cannot activate?

Denis

NavyLCDR · Feb 22, 2024

Try3 said:
If you are talking about what happens during installation, that dialog has a button to let you skip that step entering a product key if your hardware has previously been activated.
Then, after installation is done, you should be able to go online and just let it sit there until your Windows has contacted the MS activation servers without any action being taken by you.

Exactly what are you doing during / after activation that demonstrates that the computer cannot activate?

Denis

You can also force an attempt for online activation with the command:

slmgr /ato

The response will tell you a bit more about why activation failed, if it does.

antspants · Feb 22, 2024

NavyLCDR said:
Because the EULA requires it and the forum rules state that we respect the EULA on this forum, unlike you.

sdowney717 · Feb 22, 2024

dmdilks said:
OK I'm a retired Microsoft Partner. I have been installing windows on computers for almost 20 yrs.

The point I'm making is if I have a computer that I just installed windows 10 pro. It shows it has a digital key on it. The computer is all updated with the latest updates too. I then upgrade it to windows 11 pro. Plus it is up to date too with all the latest updates. It shows that I have digital key on the computer.

I then do a clean install of windows 11 pro. When I get back into windows it is showing me that windows didn't find a key attach to the computer. I have to reinstall the Key again. Really no big deal. But why should I have to reinstall the key again. Now for the hell of it I did another clean install, but this time it show that I have a digital key attach to the computer. Plus doing this with a off line account too.

My theory is that yes if I have a online account it might of not have happen. I build a lot computers every year. So I do offline accounts. So I have everything up to date. So when the person buys it, all they have to do change the name and setup account if they want.

Here is another Glitch with windows again. Like I ran into windows 10 a few yrs ago. That Glitch was basically the same thing here.

On that one if I did a clean with 20h2 it showed a digital key. If I did a clean install with 21h1 I have to reinstall the key. If I did a clean install with 21h2 it showed a digital key. Till this day that has never been fix it is still the same.

Plus I know I can use at this time a windows 10 key to activate windows 11. But when does that stop. I could use a windows 8 key to activate windows 10, but that has stop. You can't do that any more.

The thing is there is a Glitch here and will it be fix more likely not. Sorry but more then 50% of the people that I sell computers hate Microsoft. Yes they have to use the OS, but they hate it where Microsoft tries to control everything they are doing.

What will happen if you build the PC, install 11, put in the KEY, and then link it to your online account.
Then when you go to sell it, remove it from your online account. It should always remain activated and MS will for sure have a record of the hardware ID on it's activation servers as being activated. After removed from your online account, another person can sign in and link PC to their online account if they wish.

sdowney717 · Feb 22, 2024

example, from my MS account online.
Click remove device, no longer linked to an online account, but still will be activated

dmdilks · Feb 25, 2024

TraderGary said:
Where does your drawer full of new keys come from? This could explain a lot.

Where there come from is I buy a seal package. So I open it and install the key. The person that buys the computer gets the sticker with the key on it. I build about 20 computers a year. Been doing this for maybe 15 yrs or longer.

dmdilks · Feb 25, 2024

NavyLCDR said:
Because the EULA requires it and the forum rules state that we respect the EULA on this forum, unlike you.

Where does it say I don't like the EULA. "Retired Microsoft Partner" I know how everything works and you need a License to USE the Software.

The thing is if the software is Activated with windows 10. Then Microsoft knows this RIGHT??? Now if I do another clean install with windows 10 is still Activated. If I do a update to windows 11 then Microsoft again knows that it is Activated RIGHT??? Then I do a clean install and now it isn't Activated.

But everybody here is trying to tell me it is my fault and not Microsoft. Because what your saying I really have no CLUE!!! Plus one other thing WHO ever you can make this "SOLVE" and I'll move on!!!

NavyLCDR · Feb 25, 2024

dmdilks said:
Where does it say I don't like the EULA. "Retired Microsoft Partner" I know how everything works and you need a License to USE the Software.

The thing is if the software is Activated with windows 10. Then Microsoft knows this RIGHT??? Now if I do another clean install with windows 10 is still Activated. If I do a update to windows 11 then Microsoft again knows that it is Activated RIGHT??? Then I do a clean install and now it isn't Activated.

But everybody here is trying to tell me it is my fault and not Microsoft. Because what your saying I really have no CLUE!!! Plus one other thing WHO ever you can make this "SOLVE" and I'll move on!!!

I was not replying to you. Look who I quoted in that reply, "TechnoMage2021 said:".. Also if you are a retired Microsoft Partner who is in the business of selling computers to clients then you should be using audit mode to set up the computers rather than a user account.