New Cloned Hard Drive - Windows 11 Pro Now Not Activated


My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
Authorized refurbishes are required to give you documentation showing which version of Windows they installed and a Product Key in case you need to reinstall Windows. That is what Microsoft requires of them.

Don't use ShowKeyPlus to find your Product Key. It will only show a generic key after it was digitally activated. You need to find the written documentation you received when you bought your computer. If you don't have that you are out of luck unless you want to buy another Product Key.

If you want to start over and install Windows 10 Home on it then it should automatically activate with the Product Key in the BIOS.

Since I maintain a computer for a non-profit I am familiar with MAK keys. I purchased copies of Windows and Office from an official volume license software seller. Both came with MAK keys. I have reinstalled both several times. The MAK keys always worked.

Windows MAK key are different than retail in that the same key can activate Windows on multiple computers. How many depends upon how many activations the purchaser paid for. There is a limitation on how many times the same key can be used but if the limit is reached then an authorized purchaser can ask Microsoft to increase the limit. Note the Windows and Office MAK keys I have came with 100 activations each. Since I only had to reactivate a few times I have 90+ left.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Micron DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 16GB (2 x 8GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 980 (1TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    1200Mbps/250Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME X370-PRO
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23A300B (23-in LED)
    Screen Resolution
    1080p 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    2TB XPG SX8200 Pro (M2. PCIe SSD) || 2TB Intel 660P (M2. PCIe SSD) ||
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 AIO water cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech K350 (wireless)
    Keyboard
    Logitech M510 (wireless)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps down / 200 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Elements 12TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner
Porthos said:
Best of luck keeping up with the workarounds when needed.
Click to expand...
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.

1703377707549.png

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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 3040
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-6100 @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Unknown
MisterEd said:
If you want to start over and install Windows 10 Home on it then it should automatically activate with the Product Key in the BIOS.
Click to expand...
No need - I activated using a Windows 10 Home key off a dead unit I had in the closet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 3040
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-6100 @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Unknown
All2kool said:
Describe what may have been manipulated to make Windows 11 Pro work on this PC.
Click to expand...
The check for a supported processor. There are many topics in this forum regarding that subject.
All2kool said:
I activated using a Windows 10 Home key off a dead unit I had in the closet.
Click to expand...
How did you activate Pro with a HOME key?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
All2kool said:
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.
Click to expand...
It doesn't matter. It is considered a refurbished computer. Companies by pallets of these usually without HDDs or SSDs. The buyers install drives and supposedly OEM copies of Windows. I suspect some put Windows 11 on them only to make them seem better even if it not officially supported on them. Like I said the computer refurbisher should have given you documentation which included the Windows 11 Product Key. If they didn't then maybe they aren't officially approved by Microsoft.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Micron DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 16GB (2 x 8GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 980 (1TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    1200Mbps/250Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    ASUS PRIME X370-PRO
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23A300B (23-in LED)
    Screen Resolution
    1080p 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    2TB XPG SX8200 Pro (M2. PCIe SSD) || 2TB Intel 660P (M2. PCIe SSD) ||
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 AIO water cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech K350 (wireless)
    Keyboard
    Logitech M510 (wireless)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps down / 200 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Elements 12TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner
FYI but I test loaded an Optiplex 3040 about a week ago with Win11 23H2. I5-6500 cpu. Win11 didn't balk at all about the cpu requirement. It was running Win10 Pro(activated) and Win11 simply picked up the digital license and showed activated. There was another topic here in the forum discussing the very issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7/10/11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
Porthos said:
The check for a supported processor. There are many topics in this forum regarding that subject.

How did you activate Pro with a HOME key?
Click to expand...
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.

1703377882942.png
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 3040
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-6100 @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Unknown
BamaInArk said:
but I test loaded an Optiplex 3040 about a week ago with Win11 23H2. I5-6500 cpu. Win11 didn't balk at all about the cpu
Click to expand...
How was the install disk created?
Was it connected to the internet during the install?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
I think the DM means it is from the firmware MSDM table.

In the days of slp activation there used to be
retail
oem:slp
oem:nonslp

they have dm now instead of slp.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
SIW2 said:
I think the DM means it is from the firmware MSDM table.
Click to expand...
Correct. Superfly, the author of ShowKeyPlus, documents this over on Ten Forums.

Key types:
  1. OEM: DM = PC specific keys found embedded in the Microsoft Data Management (MSDM) table of the firmware of Windows 8 and Windows 10 factory installed PC's.
  2. OEM: SLP = System Locked Pre-installation key - Win Vista/7 manufacturer specific keys used to mass activate those installations. Activation is off-line with a SLIC table in the firmware and matching Certificate installed together with the key.
  3. OEM: COA = Certficate of Authenticity key found as a sticker attached to PC's factory installed with the above
  4. OEM:SLP method as a backup for on-line re-activation.
  5. OEM: NONSLP = Non-System Locked Pre-installation key a.k.a System Builder keys - available from re-sellers and acts as retail on-line activation keys but with an OEM EULA.
  6. Retail = Full Packaged Product (FPP) keys, available from a retail merchant or Microsoft on-line (NB: Windows 10 purchases from Microsoft Store are digital entitlement licences and use a generic key for installation.)
  7. Volume: MAK = Multiple Activation Key is a single key used to on-line activate a pre-determined number of Windows installations.
  8. Volume: GVLK = Group Volume License Key, is a generic key for editions of volume licence versions that activate off-line via a KMS server.
  9. WAU = Windows Anytime Upgrade - Retail key that comes at a reduced price to be used to upgrade an activated previous version of Windows.
Click to expand...
www.tenforums.com

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Help Forums

I have converted the vbs to .Net for speed and backward compatibility with Win 8.0. Should be fine on WTP, but please report any bugs (This is a quite
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    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
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    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 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.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude 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. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Bree said:
Correct. Superfly, the author of ShowKeyPlus, documents this over on Ten Forums.
Click to expand...
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?
  1. OEM: DM = PC specific keys found embedded in the Microsoft Data Management (MSDM) table of the firmware of Windows 8 and Windows 10 factory installed PC's.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 3040
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-6100 @ 3.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Unknown
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