Windows 11 Pro OEM License Deactivated After Update KB5068861 (ASUS VivoBook)
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Breanna Fields
0
Reputation points
After installing the latest Windows Security Update KB5068861, my Windows 11 Pro OEM license is suddenly marked as inactive. My device is an ASUS VivoBook, and it has always been running Windows 11 Pro, not Windows 11 Home.
When I go to Settings → Activation and run the activation troubleshooter, it incorrectly tells me that my device should be running Windows 11 Home, even though:
- My laptop shipped with Windows 11 Pro,
- The digital license has always been recognized as Pro, and
- I have never installed or used Windows 11 Home on this device.
To temporarily fix the issue, I uninstalled update KB5068861, and immediately my Windows 11 Pro license shows as legitimately activated again. However, Windows will automatically reinstall this update in a few weeks, which will put me back into the same activation problem.
I tried to reinstall Windows 11 from the iso file but that didn't do anything. Would anyone have any suggestions? I know I'm not the only one who has run into this. I honestly don't need Pro, I could use Home, but the issue is I don't want to shell out the money for a new key and it still not work.
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update
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Neil D 34,310 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2025-11-14T15:39:57.87+00:00 To check the current licence open a Command prompt (Admin) and enter slmgr /dlv [press return].
Post a screenshot of the result.
You can also get the embedded licence key from the bios using the same Command prompt and enter wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey [press return]
Use ShowKeyPlus from the Store and enter that key at Check edition. What is the description of the key.
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Breanna Fields 0 Reputation points
2025-11-14T15:57:28.7533333+00:00 It shows Windows Pro edition. I went to ShowKeysPlus and checked the edition and it says, "Win 10 RTM Core OEM:DM"
I don't really understand the discrepancy. I purchased the laptop only 3 or 4 months ago with Windows 11 Pro. Would buying a new pro license resolve the issue?
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Neil D 34,310 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2025-11-14T16:03:32.7033333+00:00 Core edition is Home and that is the licence provided by the manufacturer.
The Pro licence is not valid as it is a volume licence for use b a company on their devices. It is not a consumer licence.
It shows as activated using KMS which is a hack. Buying a Pro upgrade from Microsoft is the cheapest method of going from Home to Pro using a valid licence. (ASUS did not supply Pro edition)
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Breanna Fields 0 Reputation points
2025-11-14T16:09:46.0666667+00:00 Thank you! I'll just buy the license. I genuinely have no idea how that would have happened. I just bought the laptop on Amazon from the official ASUS store (at least I thought), and then clicked the activate button. I'm really not computer savvy, so no hacking happened on my end. So strange! Anyways, I really appreciate your help!
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