Windows 11 deactivated itself for hardware change. But I did not change any hardware !

link626 · Jan 1, 2022

got the 0xC004F211 error suddenly

but I haven't changed any hardware since I installed and built this new pc in november.

I have the same mobo ram, main ssd.

Has anyone else had a deactivation for no reason?

BunnyJ · Jan 1, 2022

[SOLVED] 0xC004F211 Windows reported that the hardware of your device has changed. - ebugg-i.com

Significant changes in computer hardware will cause this error "0xC004F211" because Windows license is linked with the system hardware {for eg: Motherboard). Windows detect hardware change on next boot, and changes the activations status.

www.ebugg-i.com

link626 · Jan 1, 2022

I've been using this pc for almost 2 months.

this morning I accidentally set a photo as desktop wallpaper.

so i went to right click desktop, Personalize and changed it back to solid color. At this time, there was no "not activated" watermark or error.
Obviously if it wasn't activated, I would not be able to change it back to solid color.

However, a minute later, after I changed the desktop to solid color, suddenly there is the Not Activated watermark on the desktop.

How weird.

cereberus · Jan 1, 2022

Where did you get your licence key from?

bobkn · Jan 1, 2022

I wouldn't expect MS to reach into your system and remove activation, even if your license is somehow bogus (or blacklisted).

Does the Activation Troubleshooter do anything for you?

Slavic · Jan 1, 2022

First of all, I would try to use System Restore to the date when activation still existed. It may require several attempts. If your problem is in sudden Registry error, this may help. Otherwise try to restore OS from a full system backup (if you have one: this is one of many examples why such backups are important). If nothing helps, try to use re-activation via Internet, which most certainly will end in activation by phone. Quite long procedure to manually input the groups of codes on the screen to a phone and input back the activation codes, but it works (I had to do this today after upgrade the SSD, when the number of allowed hardware changes was exceeded). Of course, all this will work if your licence is originated from valid source.

link626 · Jan 1, 2022

bobkn said:
I wouldn't expect MS to reach into your system and remove activation, even if your license is somehow bogus (or blacklisted).

Does the Activation Troubleshooter do anything for you?

it does nothing.

When I set this up, I did not make a microsoft account, only a local account.

A microsoft account probably would have averted this issue.

Since I didn't register a microsoft account, I can't use the hardware change option to fix this deactivation.

but as I said before, it let me Personalize my desktop, so it wasn't deactivated this morning initially.

if it detected a hardware change, it should have done so weeks ago.

The odd thing is that if I reinstall Win11 on a fresh partition with all the same hardware, the new install still remains deactivated now.
So microsoft servers are not recognizing my pc anymore.

In the past, I could reinstall windows infinite times, and it would always activate.

BunnyJ · Jan 1, 2022

cereberus said:
Where did you get your licence key from?

I'm wondering if the key was deactivated due to overuse ie multiple people using the sane key

cereberus · Jan 1, 2022

BunnyJ said:
I'm wondering if the key was deactivated due to overuse ie multiple people using the sane key

No this cannot happen for normal licences. As explained many times, once you have a digital licence, it is never revoked even if key gets blocked..

I am betting the reason is the original licence key was a pirated (albeit unknown by user) volume licence key. These do expire after a period of time and pc will deactivate (volume licence leys do not use digital licences) OP did not answer my question earlier.

OP should run an admin command:

slmgr /dlv

and tell us what it says after colon on line

Product Key Channel:

If it says GVLK, then that is reason for deactivation.

jaree1961 · Jan 1, 2022

cereberus said:
OP should run an admin command:

sljmgr /dlv

General question and I am not being critical, but more for my own knowledge as well.

Shouldn't this read - "slmgr /dlv"

Superfly · Jan 1, 2022

link626 said:
got the 0xC004F211 error suddenly

but I haven't changed any hardware since I installed and built this new pc in november.

I have the same mobo ram, main ssd.

Has anyone else had a deactivation for no reason?

Please run LicensingDiag.ps1 from Activation troubleshooting - Windows 10 Help Forums

Otherwise everybody will just be speculating.

tinmar49 · Jan 2, 2022

I would set up a Microsoft account, then it is easier to get in touch with them. They can be remarkably generous if you have a problem.

The other thing you might consider is a reinstall of Windows if you can make a backup of your drive first.

cereberus · Jan 2, 2022

jaree1961 said:
General question and I am not being critical, but more for my own knowledge as well.

Shouldn't this read - "slmgr /dlv"

corrected

link626 · Jan 6, 2022

ran slmgr /upk

made another partition, clean installed windows 10. activated.
made microsoft account. digital license linked to microsoft account.

upgraded to win 11 on new partition. using microsoft online account.

booted to old deactivated win11 partition with local account, and it activated magically.

Not sure what effect using a local account vs microsoft account has, or if microsoft treats both the same.

Code:

------------------ Licensing Data ----------------

ToolVersion             : 10.0.22000.1
LicensingStatus         : SL_LICENSING_STATUS_LICENSED
LicensingStatusReason   : 0x4004F401
LocalGenuineState       : SL_GEN_STATE_IS_GENUINE
LocalGenuineResultP     : 1
LastOnlineGenuineResult : 
GraceTimeMinutes        : 0
TotalGraceDays          : 0
ValidityExpiration      : 
ActivePartialProductKey : 3V66T

let's see if it deactivates itself again in the future.
You guys say it will never revoke my activation? we shall see.

this time i have a MS account for hardware change.

Superfly · Jan 7, 2022

link626 said:
ran slmgr /upk

made another partition, clean installed windows 10. activated.
made microsoft account. digital license linked to microsoft account.

upgraded to win 11 on new partition. using microsoft online account.

booted to old deactivated win11 partition with local account, and it activated magically.

Not sure what effect using a local account vs microsoft account has, or if microsoft treats both the same.

Code:

------------------ Licensing Data ---------------- ToolVersion : 10.0.22000.1 LicensingStatus : SL_LICENSING_STATUS_LICENSED LicensingStatusReason : 0x4004F401 LocalGenuineState : SL_GEN_STATE_IS_GENUINE LocalGenuineResultP : 1 LastOnlineGenuineResult : GraceTimeMinutes : 0 TotalGraceDays : 0 ValidityExpiration : ActivePartialProductKey : 3V66T

let's see if it deactivates itself again in the future.
You guys say it will never revoke my activation? we shall see.

this time i have a MS account for hardware change.

I actually wanted to see the Clip event log for audit trail - but anyhow.

Per the EULA

During activation (or reactivation that may be triggered by changes to your device’s components), the software may determine that the installed instance of the software is counterfeit, improperly licensed or includes unauthorized changes. If activation fails, the software will attempt to repair itself by replacing any tampered Microsoft software with genuine Microsoft software. You may also receive reminders to obtain a proper license for the software. Successful activation does not confirm that the software is genuine or properly licensed. You may not bypass or circumvent activation.

I'm not sure how drivers affect the HWID - it may well lead to these random deactivations when checked online - most times it fixes it self with the next iteration of checking. An MSA has no effect on activation - it's just helpful to store and transfer a licence.