Problem with activation after BIOS update

Question

Problem with activation after BIOS update

Jean-Philippe Dolbec 0

I update my bios while my computer was still under windows 10, with a functional license.

Once updated, windows 10 said it wasn't activated anymore, and there was no way to activate it, but I did notice windows up was ready to upgrade to windows 11, so I did.

Now windows 11 isn't activated either, and it won't activate with the troubleshooting tool as it used to when I changed my motherboard.

I joined the slmgr /dlv window Windowslicence.png

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Answer 1

EmilyS726 186.2K Independent Advisor

When was the last time you ran the troubleshooter? Like how many days ago?

Try the steps below and then run the troubleshooter again. See if it works.

Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info

Click on Sign in with local user instead. follow the steps and finish the rest.

(If you don't see the "sign in with a local account instead option, click on "Stop signing into Microsoft apps automatically" first, then relaunch this page. )

Restart the computer (Do Not skip)

Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info

Click on Sign in with Microsoft account instead. follow the steps and finish the rest

Restart the computer (Do Not skip)

Jean-Philippe Dolbec 0 Reputation points

2025-12-12T13:07:12.31+00:00

I ran the troubleshooter yesterday, several times, nothing works.
I did the local account/reboot/microsoft account/reboot thing and it still won't activate.

I ran the troubleshooter again after this, and it still couldn't activate.

The error is 0x803FABC2
EmilyS726 186.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-12T15:43:24.16+00:00

Any chance your license was originally a Windows 7 or 8 license?
Jean-Philippe Dolbec 0 Reputation points

2025-12-12T15:45:25.8433333+00:00

It is possible, I haven't entered a new license since a very long time, usually the "changed hardware" option worked every time, I think I got it from MSDN originally.
EmilyS726 186.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-12T15:47:03.0233333+00:00

That would be problematic, because license upgraded from Windows 7/8 cannot be used to activate Windows 11.
Jean-Philippe Dolbec 0 Reputation points

2025-12-12T15:49:35.35+00:00

I had upgraded to windows 10 a while ago, from what I understand, it became a windows 10 pro license, which I have re-activated after hardware change a couple times.Now it wouldn't be able to be upgraded to windows 11? Also, why didn't it work back when I was still on windows 10 yesterday, I upgraded to 11 while I couldn't activate the license in windows 10?
EmilyS726 186.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-12T15:55:17.6833333+00:00

Windows 7/8 license can upgrade to Windows 10, but it is not meant to continue all the way to Windows 11. Some time ago users could do that, but Microsoft closed this loophole not too long ago, so when a trigger event happens, like BIOS update, hardware change, etc, they find out that they cannot activate anymore.

I reckon that you had issue activating it when it was Windows 10, but at least that was something we could troubleshoot, but for Windows 11, we know it is no longer possible.

I would also suggest that you reach out to support. They may or may not help you. I've seen users getting mixed messages from support. So, won't hurt.

Open the "Get Help" app on your computer (just search for it in the Start menu). or go to https://support.microsoft.com/contactus, Type "Billing" and press Enter. On the next screen, click "Contact support" at the bottom of the page, then choose "Microsoft 365" > "Manage my subscription". You’ll then see the option to chat with a Microsoft support agent.
Jean-Philippe Dolbec 0 Reputation points

2025-12-12T16:04:34.07+00:00

I followed the instructions and it ended up sending me to community forums...(Basically, here...)

Microsoft has the worst customer support experience I've ever seen...
EmilyS726 186.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-12T16:12:41.35+00:00

Oops.. I gave the wrong path.

go to https://support.microsoft.com/contactus, choose the home user side. Type "Billing" and press Enter. On the next screen, click "Contact support" at the bottom of the page, then choose "Windows" > "Manage my subscription". If the chat option doesn't come up, try a different time. When no agents are available, this option can disappear. It is quite dynamic.

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Problem with activation after BIOS update

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