Windows licence recovery after reinstall

chris_m · May 14, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
Change the product key to VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T.

Thanks, but unfortunately I got the same error message as above

chris_m · May 14, 2023

glasskuter said:
If online activation fails, first try the activation troubleshooting in Activate Windows.

To activate Windows 11 by phone:

Select Start > Settings > System > Activation.

Under Activate Windows Now section, select Activate by Phone.

Hi, as you see, I unfortunately don't have this option (probably because I already once entered a product key)

chris_m · May 14, 2023

MisterEd said:
My laptop came with Windows 11 Home. I just bought a key for Windows 11 Pro. I tried to change the key to the new one but it failed. I was told to enter one of these generic upgrade keys for Windows 11 Pro:
JNB6J-DBPVV-GYTC6-YBX9D-FM49G, VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T, T76NF-V4RDW-JJ47H-4D7G7-CYT6T

I tried the the first key and received a digital license for Windows 11 Pro. I tried again with the key I received when I bought Windows 11 Pro. This time the new key worked so I received a digital license for Windows 11 Pro.

Maybe you can first try a generic key for Windows 11 Pro to see if that activates. If it does you can try to change the key to the one you bought.

My other laptop came with Windows 10 Home. I bought a key for Windows 10 Pro. The difference is that for this laptop in settings I was offered an anytime upgrade. Because of that the new key worked without problem and activated with a digital license for Windows 10 Pro.

BTW, I don't have Windows 10 or 11 on any of my computers linked to my Microsoft account.

Thanks MisterEd, I already tried the generic keys (also yours) but I always get the error message above ("We cannot activate Windows on this device...")

chris_m · May 14, 2023

idgat said:
Define your version of an "authorised retailer"? I suspect the "retailer" may not be as authorised as it could be, and MS is blocking the (re)activation.

That could be, but the very first time (after I bought it) the activation worked...

Marcus Vinicus · May 14, 2023

The error listed is covered in the second URL I posted above. Here is a screen capture of the relevant section

a full description of the error and possible fixes can be viewed by going here:

Fix Windows 10 activation error 0x803F7001 - Microsoft Support

Get help with Windows 10 activation error 0x803F7001.

support.microsoft.com

It says Windows 10 on this page but the same steps should work.

idgat · May 14, 2023

bobkn said:
An Internet connection is required for activation?

Yes, but you can still .... No, I'd better stop there at the risk of upsetting the purists.

idgat · May 14, 2023

chris_m said:
That could be, but the very first time (after I bought it) the activation worked...

That just simply meant the order of characters in the key matched MS algorithm that determines the structure of the license key.

Invalid keys will out in the long run !!

Winuser · May 14, 2023

idgat said:
Yep, this, which is why I asked (Post#7) the OP for more details about the so-called "authorised" seller ... wouldn't be the first user who believes that Amazon and/or eBay are "authorised" sellers

Not everything sold on Amazon is actually sold by Amazon but through Amazon. When ordering something on Amazon the actual seller will be listed.

NavyLCDR · May 14, 2023

bobkn said:
And if the machine isn't connected to the Net when Windows was installed? An Internet connection is required for activation?

The computer needs to be connected to the internet for the digital license to be created and stored on Microsoft Activation Servers. I believe Windows will activate on just a product key alone until it is connected to the internet and can check the validity of the product key. Not entirely certain about that, I'll have to check when I get home.

NavyLCDR · May 14, 2023

For chris_m, sounds like it is time to contact the seller and request a new product key.

bobkn · May 14, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
The computer needs to be connected to the internet for the digital license to be created and stored on Microsoft Activation Servers. I believe Windows will activate on just a product key alone until it is connected to the internet and can check the validity of the product key. Not entirely certain about that, I'll have to check when I get home.

I don't know about Windows, but some software has two levels of checks for activation.

A few years ago, there was a method to pirate Photoshop CS4. Its installer would accept a bogus key produced by a keygen. Adobe's activation servers wouldn't accept the key, but the Windows Hosts file could be modified to prevent Photoshop from communicating with the servers.

Bree · May 14, 2023

chris_m said:
"We cannot activate Windows on this device because you do not have a valid product key or digital license. If you think you have a valid license or key, select Troubleshooting below (0x803f7001)". I'm gonna also try the workarounds suggested by the others.

If it has had Pro activated on it previously, then the generic Pro key should activate it from the PC's existing digital licence.

idgat · May 14, 2023

Winuser said:
Not everything sold on Amazon is actually sold by Amazon but through Amazon. When ordering something on Amazon the actual seller will be listed.

That's exactly what I just said. Amazon (and eBay) are often just only "agents" for sellers of less reputable products ... like Microsoft Windows license keys.

Marcus Vinicus · May 14, 2023

idgat said:
That's exactly what I just said. Amazon (and eBay) are often just only "agents" for sellers of less reputable products ... like Microsoft Windows license keys.

I did notice looking at Amazon on the pages where Windows 11 is listed that a lot of people are having issues activating the operating system after purchasing from them.

Winuser · May 15, 2023

idgat said:
That's exactly what I just said. Amazon (and eBay) are often just only "agents" for sellers of less reputable products ... like Microsoft Windows license keys.

Where in your post did you say they are agents?

MisterEd · May 15, 2023

The OP has still not said what authorized seller they bought Windows 11 Pro from. If this was known then we might be able to check it out.

Winuser · May 15, 2023

MisterEd said:
The OP has still not said what authorized seller they bought Windows 11 Pro from. If this was known then we might be able to check it out.

I have a feeling that they were sold a MAK activation key.

chris_m · May 15, 2023

Hi everybody, thanks a lot for all your ideas. Since I couldn't get the problem fixed I bought a new license (for about 14€) which works fine, activation is now done. However, I don't know how "authorized" this license is, but anyway...

MisterEd · May 15, 2023

Winuser said:
I have a feeling that they were sold a MAK activation key.

Why do you say that? You are only guessing.

I just bought Windows 11 Pro OEM last week and received an OEM key. That was verified by typing "slmgr /dlv".

BTW, I am the caretaker for a computer for a non-profit. I installed Windows Pro on it with a MAK key. Typing "slmgr /dlv" verified that.

MisterEd · May 15, 2023

chris_m said:
Hi everybody, thanks a lot for all your ideas. Since I couldn't get the problem fixed I bought a new license (for about 14€) which works fine, activation is now done. However, I don't know how "authorized" this license is, but anyway...

Why did you buy a new key? Did you even contact the original seller? He should have helped you and offered to send you new key if that was necessary. If the seller was legitimate they would have replaced the key without question.

I have received low cost Windows and Office key from a couple online sellers. They have always helped with any problems I had. I have never had to receive new keys but I am sure they would have if necessary. BTW, both of these sellers were recommended by people with establised YouTube channels that said they will stand behind these sellers.