Weird problem with W11 activation

ann_droid · Aug 13, 2026

Hi

ASUS laptop less than 2 years old. Had hardware changes and lots of assorted OS installs.

Currently mostly/mainly Linux Mint, but I tried Debian,Zorin and Tiny11.

So I always install as LocalOnly and no problems, until this last install (NB:I recently put W11 on a 2014 Acer and it has a permanent Digital Licence granted), so looking in the registry it was listed as a W10 Home 2009 and Microsoft appear to have given it a digital licence that fails.

HOW or WHY I know not.

The error message tells me it has already been used elsewhere,and it probably has,but I don't have any W10 installs anymore (well maybe on a 2011 iMac that fails to function).

So help please.

TIA.

Bree · Aug 13, 2026

ann_droid said:
ASUS laptop less than 2 years old. Had hardware changes and lots of assorted OS installs....
So I always install as LocalOnly and no problems, until this last install .... so looking in the registry it was listed as a W10 Home 2009 and Microsoft appear to have given it a digital licence that fails......

The error message tells me it has already been used elsewhere,and it probably has,but I don't have any W10 installs anymore (well maybe on a 2011 iMac that fails to function).

What hardware changes? RAM and/or hard drive are ignored as far as a digital licence is concerned, a motherboard change isn't.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 Digital Licencing explained

A 2 year old laptop would have a key for Windows embedded in the firmware. A clean install of 10 or 11 would read this key from the firmware and use it to first determine the edition to install (Home or Pro) and then to activate the installed Windows. All keys will activate Windows 10 or 11. It's probably this key that's being complained about as having been used before.

Try changing your installed key to the generic key for Windows 10/11 Home. YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7
Generic Product Keys to Install or Upgrade Windows 11 Editions

If the laptop has an existing digital licence it should activate as soon as it can contact the Microsoft activation servers.

ann_droid · Aug 13, 2026

Thank you for the help.

That key is not valid either.

I know the OEM licence key and have tried manually quite a few times.

So over the weekend I think another wipe and re-install.

Using the linux CLI
$ sudo cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM | tail -1
[sudo] password for ann:
MSDMUc_ASUS_Notebook ASUS

has extracted the key,and I keep it on an NTFS partition so that Mint and W11 can both read it.

Therefore I will read any other posts and maybe on monday be able to report better news.

hsehestedt · Aug 13, 2026

ann_droid said:
The error message tells me it has already been used elsewhere,and it probably has

If you used that key on another machine, then it is legitimately denying you. Remember, a Windows 10 key equals a Windows 11 key. They are one and the same. A Win 10 key cannot be differentiated from Windows 11 key. So, an installation of Windows 10 counts exactly the same as a Windows 11 installation.

Put another way, if you are trying to install Windows 10 OR 11 with the same key used for Win 10 OR 11 on another machine, then you need to obtain another license. End of story.

ann_droid · Aug 14, 2026

Hi

OK.

It is a less than 2 years old ASUS, it has never had W10 on it. It came with an ASUS OEM version.
Just a single, one and only machine.

I applied

SLtop:~/Downloads$ ls *.iso
linuxmint-22.3-cinnamon-64bit.iso Win11_25H2_EnglishInternational_x64_v2.iso zorin18.iso

the W1125H2 downloaded from MS website.

Clean Install. It does have Linux Mint sitting alongside, and other partitions for Recovery and Storage.
There may even be a Debian 13 lurking in the final 16 Gb of the NVMe for, as Terry Pratchett may have put it, that one in a million chance that comes up 9 times out of 10.

Did not use my Ventoy USB or a RUFUS created USB.

So I intend to wipe the install again, try again.

Asus272 · Aug 14, 2026

You will have less problems if you install Windows before you install Linux. All Linux installs have the option to be added afer Windows and will safely create the needed Ext4 partion. This way Linux grub will be automatically added to the Windows boot manager. Windows likes to overwite grub occasionally during windows update. I turned off Fast-Startup in bios which seems to help.

ann_droid · Aug 15, 2026

Hi

New Fresh install and Activation. All seems good so far.

With a new ASUS (et al) as soon as you power on the Windows installer starts, and annoyingly wants to add BitLocker, so I go LocalOnly.
Then hopefully adjust things and install Linux. It fails sometimes.

As to having Linux GrUB added to Windows Boot Manager, not something I recall.

The good ole days when I used opensuse, 1st entry is secure boot, line 4 the 2nd opensuse entry is a simulated MBR install on a HP I believe.

So thanks everone for their input.

Case closed.

Ghot · Aug 15, 2026

@ann_droid

Love your acct. name.

If you ever need it and don't want to deal with MS... $9.97

Windows 11 Pro: BitLocker, Hyper-V & Azure AD—Lifetime License, One-Time Purchase

<p>Microsoft-Verified Partner! Upgrade Your Windows OS and Enjoy Enhanced UI, Better Multitasking, and Improved Security</p>

www.stacksocial.com

I and many others have used these keys. Stack Social is affiliated with MS.

Bree · Aug 15, 2026

ann_droid said:
With a new ASUS (et al) as soon as you power on the Windows installer starts, and annoyingly wants to add BitLocker, so I go LocalOnly.
Then hopefully adjust things and install Linux. It fails sometimes.

These days a clean install on almost any supported device will have Device Encryption enabled for the C: drive. This is not Bitlocker (yet), the drive is left unlocked. But it's ready to lock the drive and generate a Bitlocker key as soon as you sign in with a Microsoft account.

I have no need or desire to have Bitlocker so I use a Local account and, as soon as I've signed in for the first time, turn off Device Encryption. Once decrypted Windows will not turn it back on again, even after an in-place upgrade, or nag you any more about turning on Bitlocker.

Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off device encryption on a Windows 11 PC. Device encryption is a Windows feature that enables BitLocker encryption automatically for the Operating System drive and fixed drives. It’s particularly beneficial for everyday users who want to ensure...

www.elevenforum.com

Weird problem with W11 activation

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