Unable to Reactivate Windows 11 Pro

[deKavana]

Was any one able to reactivate their Windows 11 Pro using their Windows 10 Pro, which was tied to their Microsoft account?

To give context the Windows 10 Pro was free upgrade from Windows 7 Pro. I linked it to the Microsoft account before trying migration to new computer. Also slmgr/dli indicates it is RETAIL channel not OEM,

I called Microsoft and they said you can't upgrade to Windows 11 Pro because the original purchase was Windows 7 Pro and the Windows 10 Pro was free.

Anybody managed to port over to new PC with similar configuration?

 

[naked123]

microsoft recently shutdown win7 to win11 upgrade


HWID:

• Added info for activation not working issue. It's not working because of server-side changes at Microsoft. Use the KMS38 option for now. Your previously established HWID is safe. This happened because of the recent change to not allow Windows 7/8 free upgrades.

from somewhere

 

[watzup_ken]

I called Microsoft and they said you can't upgrade to Windows 11 Pro because the original purchase was Windows 7 Pro and the Windows 10 Pro was free.

This response makes no sense given that Windows 11 is a free upgrade for Windows 10 users as well. I think you can try this, install Win 10 Pro and activate it first, and try and upgrade to 11. Not sure if it will work.

In any case, I don't feel there is much value to upgrade to Windows 11 unless you are using recent Intel or AMD processors that may require some special software layer only on Windows 11 to manage the CPU cores.

 

[86technie]

This response makes no sense given that Windows 11 is a free upgrade for Windows 10 users as well. I think you can try this, install Win 10 Pro and activate it first, and try and upgrade to 11. Not sure if it will work.

In any case, I don't feel there is much value to upgrade to Windows 11 unless you are using recent Intel or AMD processors that may require some special software layer only on Windows 11 to manage the CPU cores.

True if you are not using Intel 12/13th CPU which have E or P cores.
Not worth to upgrade to Win 11 and the VBS feature of Win 11 will hog CPU performance.
If TS mention Win 7 than most likely Intel 3rd/4th processor which if somehow install WIn 11.

The PC itself will be very slow compare with Win 10, I know some install Win 11 on 3rd/4th gen CPUs.
But if you run benchmark, the scores will be way worse than on Win 10.

 

[Hafi]

why link it to Microsoft account.

Before upgrading you should pull out your Internet connection, key in the generic key for Windows 11 Pro and then perform the upgrade... reboot and then re-connect internet.

Anyway Windows 11 Pro legit key is dirt cheap (less than US$30) can get from anywhere.

 

[Mach3.2]

those cheap keys are grey market keys at best, piracy at worse.


Paying to pirate windows is crazy when you can do it for free or run it unlicensed.

 

[Phen8210]

if you have old pc like those laptop can get the win 7 sn from sticker and use it during window installation, upon going online it will automatically be converted.

 

[naked123]

if you have old pc like those laptop can get the win 7 sn from sticker and use it during window installation, upon going online it will automatically be converted.

cannot liao. M$ recently stopped those upgrades

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...dows-10-11-with-old-windows-7-8-keys-anymore/

https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/11...-11-block-windows-7-8-keys-upgrade-activation

https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-no-longer-activate-windows-7-product-key/

 

[Phen8210]

cannot liao. M$ recently stopped those upgrades

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...dows-10-11-with-old-windows-7-8-keys-anymore/

https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/11...-11-block-windows-7-8-keys-upgrade-activation

https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-no-longer-activate-windows-7-product-key/

Liddat how ah? I still got 10 pro key and 1 home

 

[naked123]

Liddat how ah? I still got 10 pro key and 1 home

only win7/8 keys

10 should be fine

 

[Phen8210]

only win7/8 keys

10 should be fine

by 10 i mean 10 keys

Actually, i read last time ppl also said these keys cannot activate but dono why always can activate on any PC, but i think lets not go to further detail.

will take note.

 

[naked123]

by 10 i mean 10 keys

Actually, i read last time ppl also said these keys cannot activate but dono why always can activate on any PC, but i think lets not go to further detail.

will take note.

just use massgrave script lah. the hwid activation persists after reinstalling windows.

 

[xtractor]

why link it to Microsoft account.

Before upgrading you should pull out your Internet connection, key in the generic key for Windows 11 Pro and then perform the upgrade... reboot and then re-connect internet.

Anyway Windows 11 Pro legit key is dirt cheap (less than US$30) can get from anywhere.

I upgraded my whole system, and I just transferred the windows from the old SSD to the new SSD.

Later on, Windows prompts me unrecognize CD key LOL.

OS already had a free upgraded from 10 to 11 Pro but still can't use it.

I gave away the old CD key to my nephew with my old system originally attached to it, but I never tried to upgrade it back.but definitely will work coz the CD key recognized after i reinstall it

I bought a new 11 Pro CD key for $20 SGD and have been using it as normal. Both are running well.

I linked it to the Microsoft account before trying migration to new computer. Also slmgr/dli indicates it is RETAIL channel not OEM,

Retail not OEM still never work to transfer to the new system

TS did change his new system and is hoping it works, but the old CD key attached to the old system

But if he did not change his new PC, I am not sure why it does not work to upgrade because I did it.

 

[Hafi]

I upgraded my whole system, and I just transferred the windows from the old SSD to the new SSD.

Later on, Windows prompts me unrecognize CD key LOL.

OS already had a free upgraded from 10 to 11 Pro but still can't use it.

I gave away the old CD key to my nephew with my old system originally attached to it, but I never tried to upgrade it back.but definitely will work coz the CD key recognized after i reinstall it

I bought a new 11 Pro CD key for $20 SGD and have been using it as normal. Both are running well.

Microsoft doesn't care so much about where you buy your license keys anymore because they are going the way of subscription based model maybe in Windows 12 or later.

I bought a new miniPC recently and it only came with Windows 11 Home. Before I upgrade to the Pro version, I disconnected from the Internet and manually upgrade and input the generic Win 11 Pro key (you can find the list online) and then re-connect Internet back and I got Pro working without any warning. I had a Pro key (from Win 10 Pro) standby waiting to activate it if it request but so far it never gave me any notices.

To conclude, the upgrade was done with a local Windows account (not Microsoft online account) and the license wasn't link to Microsoft account.

 

[xtractor]

Microsoft doesn't care so much about where you buy your license keys anymore because they are going the way of subscription based model maybe in Windows 12 or later.

I bought a new miniPC recently and it only came with Windows 11 Home. Before I upgrade to the Pro version, I disconnected from the Internet and manually upgrade and input the generic Win 11 Pro key (you can find the list online) and then re-connect Internet back and I got Pro working without any warning. I had a Pro key (from Win 10 Pro) standby waiting to activate it if it request but so far it never gave me any notices.

To conclude, the upgrade was done with a local Windows account (not Microsoft online account) and the license wasn't link to Microsoft account.

For me i still prefer buying it
not sure how safe is the Generic Window 11 Pro key that was shared again and again by million of user using the same shared and the only 1 windows CD key

Btw my old cd key was link with microsoft account but i was able to reinstall it to the old system that attached to it without using microsoft account and my nephew using it never had any problem

 

[Yongkit]

https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-activate-windows-with-cmd/

Can try this

 

[Koenig168]

https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-activate-windows-with-cmd/

Can try this

MS is going to block KMS activation. Too many people not paying for their Windows

 

[Yongkit]

MS is going to block KMS activation. Too many people not paying for their Windows

hopefully by that time more already activated their windows, although nowadays still many reluctant to go win 11 in general.

 

[Koenig168]

hopefully by that time more already activated their windows, although nowadays still many reluctant to go win 11 in general.

I'm still on Win 10 latest build and see no need to go to Win 11. I only upgraded to 22H2 from 1909 after it has been thoroughly "beta" tested and forced to do so by Starfield (which won't run on 1909).

 

[cybertech]

Those using KMS and Generic Keys, check the Windows Activation Status using (CMD or Powershell run as administrator):
slmgr /xpr

You should get "The machine is permanently activated" or some thing like Expiring date will shown.
The Activation State shown on Windows System means nothing, it just show that Windows license is Active.