Windows suddenly deactivated after 5 years due to a hardware change, but none occurred

Hi,

Windows suddenly says my PC is not activated and cites a recent hardware change as the reason. However, I have been using the same PC for at least 5 years (Windows 11 on a local account), and all of my drives have remained the same since then (one secondary internal drive, one external USB drive, and a CD drive).

I re-entered the product key from the backup location in the registry (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform "BackupProductKeyDefault"="..... "), knowing that it is very likely useless since it is a digital license. As expected, the problem persisted. I then reverted to the last restore point, but the issue remains.

Does anyone have an idea what this could be? The problem appeared completely out of the blue, and I have not changed any hardware, despite what Microsoft claims. I bought my license together with the PC. Is it possible that Microsoft "found out" after more than 5 years that my license is not valid (which can never be completely ruled out, even though I bought my PC from a reputable reseller), after validating it for 5 years?

Try Windows activation troubleshooter.

@rogerrabbit

If you don't want to deal with MS you can always get another license, here...

$14.99


I had Win 11 deactivate after a BIOS update on an ASUS board.

Of course, the activation troubleshooter is the first step, but the digital license not being tied to a Microsoft account will probably cause the activation troubleshooter to fail since you are using a retail Gigabyte motherboad. As such, the device would not have an underlying OEM license.
The error you are getting is an indication the original digital license was tied to a volume/MSDN key that has been revoked or a grey market key. These can work for years and then fail when Microsoft revalidates them.

That be the case,IMO the only solution is to purchase a new license.

@FreeBooter, @Ghot, @glasskuter

Thanks to all of you for your advice.
The troubIeshooting did not work, I then run a "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" which finally statet that it restored something, but the activation still does not work.
I'll now restore a Hasleo backup and report back !

rogerrabbit said:

I'll now restore a Hasleo backup and report back !

Click to expand...

My guess is it may restore as activated, but that the activation will last only until Ms revalidates the license again.

Things that can trigger revalidation are a feature update, activation service updates, bios update, tpm/secure boot changes, firmware updates storage controller driver update, or license misuse.

​

Might save some time...

There is a MS Store app, ShowKeyPlus, that will tell you what license your product key is tied to.

Use the Check Edition function.

If it shows as a Volume License, the advice to purchase a new license is the way to go.