Windows activation after bios update

Anonymous
2022-06-19T10:02:22+00:00

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

300 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-20T10:53:27+00:00

    I updated BIOS today, ran into booting issues afterwards, lost my Windows pin after it booted on the second restart, and Windows was deactivated. I was activated through a digital license linked to my account, and now I cannot relink it to that PC. BIOS update was the culprit. Troubleshooting told me there was a hardware change, which there was not

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-10-15T23:48:14+00:00

    I can't believe I still get notifications of people posting on this thread.

    And the best part for the post above. In this case to fix the issue all it takes is some generous developer to write a script and share it.

    Microcrap, come on guys, provide reliable fixes for this issue.

    Where's the mods here that can actually point to a useful Microsoft help article that instructs people on how to properly update / upgrade hardware so they don't have to deal with this garbage after purchasing your digital license.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-23T01:03:22+00:00

    Not sure if it's the same if Win11 is using a digital license, but on my copy, which was an upgrade from Win10, which was itself an upgrade from Win8, the license key is in the registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform, in the REG_SZ value BackupProductKeyDefault. I have that saved away in case I need to re-install.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-19T23:47:49+00:00

    Well that explains a lot of things. I know you can backup the security keys somehow. I updated from MSI Z690-A V1.80 to V1.90 without issue now from V1.90 to V1.A0 the activation was gone and had to resort to my trusty old Windows 7 Ultimate box to activate again.

    What a PITA...

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-14T17:45:12+00:00

    Upgrading Bios can lose activation. It just did it to me. I just did a fresh install. windows was signed into Microsoft account. My MSI software did a bios update and then walla! Activation gone!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments