Solved Updated BIOS firmware with new fTPM version, Windows deactivated.

Updated BIOS, all went well but deactivated W11. I saw the warning also displayed from BIOS but as I don't use Bitlocker I allowed it to reset TPM. Didn't know activation was stored there. Now I have a problem, my windows activation hails all the way back to W7 which was subsequently upgraded to W8/8.1 and W10 and of course lost in time. All clean windows installations and HW changes were activated with MS account. Even if I had it, MS finally and for real stopped W11 activation using W7 and W8 code. I have a "spare" activation code for W10/11 but afraid to use it as it may interfere with my long standing (since 1995) MS/Hotmail account. BIOS doesn't seem to have an option to disable TPM, only to change between CPU or optional/dedicated on the MB and to choose version 1.2-1.3.

If I understand correctly the windows activation is linked to your microsoft account. Try to remove it and then add it again.

Windows probably think that hardaware change has happended and deactivated itself.

You can also check the activation troubleshooter - Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support.

Good luck,
werty

@CountMike


If you haven't already... try the Activation Troubleshooter.
I believe it's located in Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot section?







More... and probably a way to contact Microsoft chat, if needed...

werty said:

If I understand correctly the windows activation is linked to your microsoft account. Try to remove it and then add it again.

Windows probably think that hardaware change has happended and deactivated itself.

You can also check the activation troubleshooter - Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support.

Good luck,
werty

Click to expand...

Yes, activation is linked to my MS account, same as it always was and it worked thru many HW changes, upgrades and clean installations, never failed until now.



Troubleshooter gives me only option to enter the key which I lost long time ago or buy new one from Store.
I do have a "Spare" activation code that Kari gave me couple of years ago to use for another Insider build which I never used but reluctant to use it as it may screw up my MS account. What do you guys think, would it ? If that solves this problem I'd be happy to use it.

CountMike said:

Troubleshooter gives me only option to

Click to expand...

I would click on "I changed hardware recently"

antspants said:

Microsoft confirms problems with Windows activation after blocking old keys

Microsoft confirmed that the company is aware of activation issues on some systems. The problem appeared shortly after Microsoft blocked old Windows 7 and 8 keys from activating Windows 10 and 11.

www.neowin.net

Click to expand...

Interesting, I heard about it but didn't have problem until now.

Ghot said:

I would click on "I changed hardware recently"

Click to expand...

Great thanks that did it although it didn't work couple of hours ago. Now going to see what is happening with Insider Dev on same PC.

CountMike said:

Great thanks that did it although it didn't work couple of hours ago. Now going to see what is happening with Insider Dev on same PC.

Click to expand...

You're on your own with that.
Good luck.

Insider is good although lost ability to sign in with PIN, New password set up for MS account let me in.

CountMike said:

Insider is good although lost ability to sign in with PIN

Click to expand...

Personally... I just stayed with a normal old password for login.
Looks like too much room for MS error with the other methods.

Ghot said:

Personally... I just stayed with a normal old password for login.
Looks like too much room for MS error with the other methods.

Click to expand...

PIN worked until now , password is too long to enter. 4 numerals is faster.

CountMike said:

PIN worked until now , password is too long to enter. 4 numerals is faster.

Click to expand...

They're all crackable, PINs included.
IMO... the regular old passwords have "less moving parts, less chance of... %^*&(%*^)&^&*!!!"


Since I've been using Windows, the only really amazing improvement I've seen is the In-Place Upgrade.
All the other changes seem to just be... moving stuff around and breaking stuff.
Sometimes, the old ways ARE the best.



Originally posted by @Cliff S
And we all know who the guy in the middle is...

Ghot said:

They're all crackable, PINs included.
IMO... the regular old passwords have "less moving parts, less chance of... %^*&(%*^)&^&*!!!"

Click to expand...

Hard pressed to remember what I had for breakfast let alone complicated password. In any case It's not for security, I just wasn't able to make insider passwords because of some mistake I made with account when I tried doing same as with regular windows. Made an error with hotmail account, wrote ; instead of M. Now it also shows up at sign in page and nowhere else. To lazy to reinstall as I don't use it every day.

CountMike said:

Hard pressed to remember what I had for breakfast let alone complicated password

Click to expand...

Make your password... "What I had for breakfast"


I think @Try3 has the best password remembering solution.
He has a little waterproof cylinder on his key chain, with his passwords.

Tiny waterproof cylinder


Prints his password list, rolls it up and sticks it in one of these things...




And... if you occasionally forget your keys... no problem. Get a "solid brass" halyard clip and hook them on a belt loop...
We used to use these in the Service, to hold key rings. Greatest idea since sliced... roast beef.

Halyard clip





Pronunciation...

I have a trick for keys, there's a Swiss knife, couple of pendants and a mini flashlight on a swivel carabiner. If I don't feel that weight it means I forgot keys.

And people wonder why I haven't plugged that abomination into my PC yet.