I have just run into the same problem with BIOS update on a Gigabyte mobo (Z690 Aorus Pro). After updating the BIOS, Windows says that the hardware of the device has changed and that it is no longer activated.
Windows activation after bios update
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Anonymous
After updating the bios, im unable to activate windows 11, which was already activated. You're telling me I can't update the bios without windows freaking out. I paid for this product and now the only thing the troubleshooter is telling me to do is to just buy another product key. How the hell do I go about fixing this since windows services is just an utter joke? I'm constantly having to deal with fixing **** issues with windows 11. This product is a big joke. The "get help" app does nothing but direct me to exactly what their windows activation page is on the website.
Contacting support did nothing. They told me it's not their issue. Quality service M$
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
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Anonymous
2022-11-06T00:53:47+00:00 -
Anonymous
2022-11-06T02:25:17+00:00 So clearly this isn't an isolated incident, just related to one motherboard manufacturer. The operating system should not be invalidated by a motherboard bios update. This never happened with any of my other systems across the years. Microsoft no longer has a support number where you can call an actual person. I went round and round with their "techs" online and none of them could resolve the issue. The first time this happened, after hours of them trying to fix it, they refunded my money and I had to buy another license. The second time they generated a retail key for me. Each time this happened it was right after updating my motherboard bios. At no time did Microsoft ever mention that this was caused by flashing the motherboard. I am now afraid to update my brand new motherboard for fear of this happening again. This is ridiculous because it's a new chipset and will be getting updated frequently. I hope you get it resolved but for me it was a total pita and cost me several hours of my life ! I'm not sure which version of Windows you are running but I can't help but think this may be a ploy to push us into Windows 11 by making Windows 10 unusable...
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Anonymous
2022-11-06T06:50:22+00:00 I'm not sure which version of Windows you are running but I can't help but think this may be a ploy to push us into Windows 11 by making Windows 10 unusable...
No, this was with Windows 11. To fix it, I ran "slmgr /rilc" in an administrator command prompt, rebooted, logged in using a Microsoft account rather than the local account I normally use, then went to activation in Settings, clicked on Troubleshoot, and then clicked the link saying something like "I have changed my hardware", and was able to re-activate. I then had to go to accounts and setup my local account again.
A total ****PITA. And who knows if it will happen again the next time I run a BIOS update.
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Anonymous
2022-11-10T13:19:19+00:00 That didn't work for me, i guess the only other option is to do a fresh install
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Anonymous
2022-11-25T00:00:26+00:00 This just happened to me as well with a MSI Z690 Edge Wifi DDR4 motherboard,
after updating through MSI Center to Bios version 3.2022.1107.01
Still looking for a fix w/o rollback
Ok - For some reason my computer was listed 3 times, and after trying the 2nd one and re-activating,
it's now activated again.
Legit purchase of Windows 11 Pro here.
This should not be an issue.