I activated windows when i first built my pc a year and a half ago my windows has deactivated sometime since then and i dont know why

Question

I activated windows when i first built my pc a year and a half ago my windows has deactivated sometime since then and i dont know why

noah jordan 0

Screenshot 2025-12-12 181756

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Gunasekar N 51,215 Independent Advisor

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Did you make any recent hardware changes to your computer?
What is the exact error message you see on the Windows Activation settings page? Can you share a screenshot of the error for our reference?

Additionally, have you tried running the Windows Activation troubleshooter?

Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > troubleshoot.

If the troubleshooter can’t activate your device, select “I changed hardware recently on this device” and follow the on-screen prompts to reactivate Windows on the same PC.

noah jordan 0 Reputation points

2025-12-13T04:21:27.69+00:00

I have not changed my hardware ever, here's what shows up every time

Answer 2

Gunasekar N 51,215 Independent Advisor

Thank you for the screenshots.

On image 2, select "I changed hardware on this device recently."

Sign in with your Microsoft account.

You will see your device on the Reactivate Windows page.

Check "This is the device I'm using right now," then click Activate.

Gunasekar N 51,215 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-12-13T05:28:45.0333333+00:00

(Duplicate answer Deleted *)
noah jordan 0 Reputation points

2025-12-13T17:15:06.8833333+00:00

This has happened every time

Answer 3

Neil D 30,165 Volunteer Moderator

Get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store and check to see if it shows the full installed or original key that ends in WTYP4.

If it does then make a note of the full 25 character key (it should match a label attached to the device) and enter that at Change product key, in Settings.

noah jordan 0 Reputation points

2025-12-13T22:17:56.7166667+00:00

It says MAK key not available
Neil D 30,165 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-12-13T22:30:39.97+00:00

In a previous screenshot it shows an OEM_COA_NSLP licence.That type of licence comes with a label containing the full product key. It is required to be fixed to the case of the device.

Did you buy that licence yourself or was it provided by the system builder.?

Check all over the case to be sure there is no label.

It shouldn't ref. a MAK licence as that is a different type of licence.
noah jordan 0 Reputation points

2025-12-13T22:39:23.1566667+00:00

I built the computer and bought the license myself and I misplaced the key that came inside
Neil D 30,165 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-12-14T10:30:32.24+00:00

This makes it very difficult.

Without the key you are going to have to contact Microsoft support directly and hopefully the package you still have will be enough evidence you bought a licence.

You can try the Get Help app in windows and type chat with an agent then select Contact Support.

Another user found this method help them:

from what i experience Microsoft’s support flow often redirects into loops, which can be frustrating.

Here’s how you can bypass that and reach a real agent:

1.Go to Microsoft Support – Contact Us.

2.Scroll down and select Get Help → Contact Support.

3.When prompted to sign in, choose I can’t sign in or Skip sign-in.

4.Select Microsoft Account as the product.

5.Under Need more help?, choose Chat with a support agent or Request a call back.

There is a chance the system is corrupt. That may have caused the loss of the licence and the fact that ShowKeyPlus doesn't display the OEM key then you can repair windows via Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using windows update and select Reinstall now.
noah jordan 0 Reputation points

2025-12-14T18:24:22.6833333+00:00

Thank you i will try both of these

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I activated windows when i first built my pc a year and a half ago my windows has deactivated sometime since then and i dont know why

3 answers

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