Windows Needs Activation

Caxtin · Oct 25, 2024

Strange.
My twenty-day old PC just asked me to activate my OS. Been using it until this morning I saw the warning. Why would this be?
Would it require to activate with Microsoft account?
Am just curious to know before contacting Dell on this matter.

Cheers

idgat · Oct 25, 2024

Where did you get your installed version from? All the hallmarks of a possible pirated version ....

kelper · Oct 25, 2024

Try signing in to your Microsoft account. This worked on an old laptop that came with Win 7. MS holds a digital license associated with that computer.

jaree1961 · Oct 25, 2024

You have not really provided a lot of information to work with, but: -

Did the PC come with Windows on it?

If so, what version? (Windows 10, Windows 11 23H2 or 24H2)

Was it activated before this morning, or could it be you have just noticed it is not activated?

Have you done any updates or changed any of the hardware setup?

This info may help one of the smarter guru's on here!

antspants · Oct 25, 2024

Caxtin has told us that they got their laptop 20 days ago. I can only assume it came with Windows installed.
If so, perhaps they missed something in the setup process or in the documentation or didn’t notice a Windows key attached somewhere.
But as it’s a laptop, the key is probably embedded in the BIOS/Firmware and possibly just needs to go through whatever process that one would go through, signing into their Microsoft Account maybe?

@Caxtin if this is a brand new laptop, when first powering on, you’re usually asked questions to setup Windows. One of these is usually your Microsoft Account.
When logging into your Microsft Account on a new Laptop, you’re (possibly embeded) key would be registered as a “Digital licence”

To see the status of Activation:

Check Activation Status of Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to check and find out if your Windows 11 is activated. Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. Reference...

www.elevenforum.com

Also, further reading:

Activate Windows 11

This tutorial will show you available options to legally activate your Windows 11 PC. Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. When you purchase an OEM PC that comes with Windows 11...

www.elevenforum.com

Link Microsoft Account to Windows 11 Digital License

This tutorial will show you how to link your Microsoft account to your Windows 11 digital license. Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. When installing Windows 11, the digital license...

www.elevenforum.com

antspants · Oct 25, 2024

@Caxtin if worst comes to worst…

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro | StackSocial

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

www.stacksocial.com

Also, the questions asked by jaree1961 are relevant.

zbook · Oct 25, 2024

Was this computer in another thread where home was changed to pro?

Upgrading Laptop From Home To Pro - Still Under Warranty

I have a few months old Laptop with Windows 11 Home. What would be the disadvantage(s) of upgrading it to Windows 11 Pro? It's a Dell Inspiron and still under warranty. Cheers

www.elevenforum.com

jaree1961 · Oct 25, 2024

antspants said:
Caxtin has told us that they got their laptop 20 days ago. I can only assume it came with Windows installed.

@antspants You know what happens when you assume !!!

antspants · Oct 25, 2024

jaree1961 said:
@antspants You know what happens when you assume !!!

Members help threads tell a lot. Generally more than the questions posed

Updated post number 5 with some relevant links.

Caxtin · Oct 25, 2024

Sorry, I might have added more info.
I bought it from a very reputable outfit online.
It's a Dell desktop XPS 8960, with Service Tag and Express Service Code. In the support page, I have all the past Dell computers I have owned including this one as the most current.
Already, I have it registered with Dell.
Last week, a few times, I was chatting with Dell technical support on an audio app and to connect my guitar to the computer.
The day after I got the computer, I was on the phone with them asking about hard drive ports on the mother board.
I've done updates a few times since I got the PC.

And by the way, this morning, the activation warning went away. Very strange!

idgat · Oct 25, 2024

Caxtin said:
a very reputable outfit online

"Reputable" by whose definition? Which reputable outfit?

Caxtin said:
It's a Dell desktop XPS 8960, with Service Tag and Express Service Code. In the support page, I have all the past Dell computers I have owned including this one as the most current.
Already, I have it registered with Dell.

Dell do hardware, not software or OSs. Brand name device doesn't guarantee veracity of installed software

antspants · Oct 25, 2024

Caxtin said:
And by the way, this morning, the activation warning went away. Very strange!

Good to hear, don’t question it

As for your laptop, I am sure it’s all above board

antspants · Oct 25, 2024

idgat said:
Dell do hardware, not software or OSs

Well actually, that isn’t accurate. Dell do make software pertaining to their hardware, that interacts with Windows.

Caxtin · Oct 26, 2024

idgat said:
"Reputable" by whose definition? Which reputable outfit?

Dell do hardware, not software or OSs. Brand name device doesn't guarantee veracity of installed software

What I mean by all that is, I did not just buy the OS from eBay and installed, and Dell has the warranty with Express Code, and all.

Caxtin · Oct 26, 2024

Caxtin said:
Sorry, I might have added more info.
I bought it from a very reputable outfit online.
It's a Dell desktop XPS 8960, with Service Tag and Express Service Code. In the support page, I have all the past Dell computers I have owned including this one as the most current.
Already, I have it registered with Dell.
Last week, a few times, I was chatting with Dell technical support on an audio app and to connect my guitar to the computer.
The day after I got the computer, I was on the phone with them asking about hard drive ports on the mother board.
I've done updates a few times since I got the PC.

And by the way, this morning, the activation warning went away. Very strange!

Oopsy, this evening, it came back again.
Yes, I know I can just go ahead and activate it. I am just curious why the warning came up in the first place. It should not.
I'll work with Dell to know what's going on.

Caxtin · Oct 26, 2024

UPDATE

I believe I found out why.
There were two critical 24H2 pending updates. I installed them and the warning went off (at least for now). If anything else should happen, I'll surely come back to report.

Thanks for every one's thoughts and help.
Well appreciated!

NavyLCDR · Oct 26, 2024

One very quick troubleshooting is to open a command prompt with admin privileges and run:
slmgr /dlv

Post the results:

Windows Needs Activation

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