Reactivating Windows 11 through trouble

Tyler Chaika 20 Reputation points
2025-12-14T18:46:33.8333333+00:00

Hello,

I have been upgrading components in my computer. I recently upgraded my GPU and ran the windows reactivator just fine through the troubleshooter. Now that I have a new motherboard and CPU, I cannot reactive as the device is not correct. It looks like a laptop I had 8 years ago is the only device populating. Is there a fix for getting my current device name to show? I have restarted multiple times trying to get the correct device to display.

User's image

User's image

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

Answer accepted by question author
  1. EmilyS726 188K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-14T20:21:40.5733333+00:00

    No, please do not remove that device at all.

    If your license is retail, there's no limit, but typically you cannot transfer between different hardware frequently within 72 days if I rememebr that correctly - that is to prevent users from using one license on two devices by switching back and forth.

    Sometimes device registeration on Microsoft account can read info wrong, and when you think the license should be link to one device, but the device info reads something else. I've seen that in this forum from time to time, but it can still work. This is why I am asking you to check that box and click on Activate, see if it works.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. EmilyS726 188K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-14T19:19:51.2+00:00

    If you click on that device listing in your devices, then click on Activate, will it let you transfer the license over?


Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.