Solved Win11 Beta suddenly unactivated

Mark Phelps · May 9, 2023

Suddenly tonight, when I tried to apply the latest Windows Update (Bld 22624.1755 KB5026438) MS says that Windows is unactivated -- due to recent hardware change!

I DID do such a change -- months ago -- and have been updating Win11 Beta ever since without an issue. Only NOW, does it say is it unactivated.

My memory is pretty rusty on this, but what I THINK happened is that I changed my account to an MSN account, Windows then reactivated automatically, and then I changed it back to a local account. Does that sound about right?

Apart from reinstalling from Win11 Pro and reconfiguring beta settings all over again, what else can I do to get activation back?

glasskuter · May 9, 2023

Have you tried this. If it fails you can always use phone activation.

Activate Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

support.microsoft.com

Product activation for Windows – online & support telephone numbers - Microsoft Support

Learn how to activate Windows using an internet connection, automated system, or live support advocate.

support.microsoft.com

Bree · May 9, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
what I THINK happened is that I changed my account to an MSN account, Windows then reactivated automatically, and then I changed it back to a local account. Does that sound about right?

If you had your account as an MS account at one time, then the PC should be listed in Devices in your MS account. This means you should be able to use the Activation Troubleshooter to reactivate your Windows. Tell it you changed hardware and point it to your PC's entry in your MS account.

Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10

How to Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Mark Phelps · May 9, 2023

Bree said:
If you had your account as an MS account at one time, then the PC should be listed in Devices in your MS account. This means you should be able to use the Activation Troubleshooter to reactivate your Windows. Tell it you changed hardware and point it to your PC's entry in your MS account.

Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10

How to Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Sorry, does not work. Troubleshooter just tells me to go to MS to buy a license and it says there are no linked devices.

There is no option to phone MS shown.

Mark Phelps · May 9, 2023

glasskuter said:
Have you tried this. If it fails you can always use phone activation.

Activate Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

support.microsoft.com

Product activation for Windows – online & support telephone numbers - Microsoft Support

Learn how to activate Windows using an internet connection, automated system, or live support advocate.

support.microsoft.com

Sorry, neither of these work. There is no activate by phone option listed anywhere. There is no Activate Windows Now section in System -> Activation, only: Activation state (not active), Troubleshoot, Change product key, Get Help [useless], Get a new license in the MS Store app.

I ran Troubleshoot and it says it was not able to activate windows on this device and to contact the store to buy a copy.

I will see about changing back to my MS account to see if that accomplishes anything.

Mark Phelps · May 9, 2023

Not having any success. Went into Accounts -> Your Info to change to MS account and that option is not there. Instead, it wants me to synch passwords across my devices -- which I definitely do NOT want to do!

I thought there was a setting there to simply switch to using and MS account -- but I don't see it.

Ghot · May 10, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
Apart from reinstalling from Win11 Pro and reconfiguring beta settings all over again, what else can I do to get activation back?

Make a backup of the unactivated Windows, then either reinstall on Beta channel, or just on the regular channel, and see what happens... activation wise.

IF... it comes up activated... then you'll have some ammunition available to use during a Microsoft live chat?

Or maybe this... ??

https://gethuman.com/phone-number/Microsoft-Tech-Support

ShamrockRig · May 10, 2023

If you cant get it going with all the suggestions above, Id just buy another license, can pick em up for like 15 bucks.

Mark Phelps · May 10, 2023

ShamrockRig said:
If you cant get it going with all the suggestions above, Id just buy another license, can pick em up for like 15 bucks.

I don't think you can get legal licenses for $15 and I don't want some expired pirated license on my PC.

Mark Phelps · May 10, 2023

Ghot said:
Make a backup of the unactivated Windows, then either reinstall on Beta channel, or just on the regular channel, and see what happens... activation wise.

IF... it comes up activated... then you'll have some ammunition available to use during a Microsoft live chat?

Or maybe this... ??

https://gethuman.com/phone-number/Microsoft-Tech-Support

Is that a link to MS Support, or is it to the third party outfit GetHuman?

Mark Phelps · May 10, 2023

UPDATE: I was wrong about the account type, in that it is an MSN account, not a local account, but the PIN option has error text saying it can't be used due to a hardware change, so I have to use a password. I tried to reset the PIN and it sent me a code, but when I entered the code, it said it was invalid.

Update2: I was able to find where I had saved the details of the Win7 product key I originally used to activate this PC. I entered that in the Activation screen -- and it reactivated!

So -- problem solved (for now).

Ghot · May 10, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
Is that a link to MS Support, or is it to the third party outfit GetHuman?

"GetHuman" is a website that finds the phone numbers for other companies.
Those that have hard to get phone numbers.

The phone number listed at that link should be for MS Customer Service/Tech support.
I just called the number... it's Microsoft.

I've used "GetHuman" zillions of times, for hard to find phone numbers.

The site started out 20-some years ago... supplying phone numbers that went to a human, rather than a computer.
Now... it's just hard to get numbers.

Whenever you need a hard to find number just google something like: Microsoft tech support (in this case), and check the "GetHuman" link in the results. I'd guess it has an up to date number about 90% of the time.

I don't just post... random links. Links I post are those I know of, and have used, for years.

Mark Phelps · May 10, 2023

Ghot said:
"GetHuman" is a website that finds the phone numbers for other companies.
Those that have hard to get phone numbers.

...

OK, thanks for the info.

BTW, I ran the update again, to build 1755, and this time -- it did NOT deactivate the install.

Go figure!

Ghot · May 10, 2023

Mark Phelps said:
OK, thanks for the info.

BTW, I ran the update again, to build 1755, and this time -- it did NOT deactivate the install.

Go figure!

You must have scared Microsoft.
They're probably quaking in their updates.

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