Microsoft will not give me the required credentials i.e. Windows activation Key for Windows 11 Pro which I purchased

Frank Allen 0 Reputation points
2026-05-08T13:19:03.7233333+00:00

Dear Sirs:

I was speaking with a support person today. I purchased Windows 11 Pro. The software is in my purchase history. However the agent said that I should buy a brand new key from Microsoft. You gray out operating system software. You should let the customer download his purchased software. I have been through hell with 24 H2, and 25 H2. The only operating system that you have written that is worse than Windows 11 is Windows 95.

This is the bottom line:

I have a Dell XPS 8940, and a Dell XPS 8950. They both are running Windows 11 Pro. I will have both product keys or I will immediately file a claim in civil court in Boston on Monday. I have had it with your shit! They say that all publicity is good publicity. Well, we own a radio station. We will give you free advertising. Remember the people who put you where you are!!!

Regards,

Frank Allen - ******@msn.com - The Allen Institute for Human Rights Inc. (508) 857-8334

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Performance | Application technologies and compatibility
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  1. Domic Vo 32,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-08T14:23:08.43+00:00

    Hi Frank Allen,

    Your Windows 11 Pro purchase is recorded as a digital entitlement linked to your Microsoft Account, meaning you should never be forced to purchase a duplicate license for the same hardware. Since your Dell XPS 8940 and 8950 utilize firmware-embedded keys, the Windows activation engine should automatically prioritize the factory-installed license and then upgrade it based on your digital purchase. If the agent suggested a new purchase, they likely failed to account for the Digital License (Entitlement) that supersedes the base OEM key. You can resolve this by navigating to Settings, System, and then Activation to run the Activation Troubleshooter. Selecting the specific option stating you changed hardware on this device triggers a re-evaluation of the hardware ID against your account history, which usually clears the block without requiring a 25-character key.

    The instability you experienced with version 24H2 and the mentioned future builds suggests your devices may be enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, which serves as a testing ground for unrefined code. For the stability required for your radio station operations, you should exit the Insider Program and perform a clean installation using the Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft software download page. This ensures you are on the General Availability channel, which is the only version validated for production environments. This process will wipe the "preview" bugs and, upon signing in with your Microsoft Account, the system will perform a silent handshake with the activation servers to restore your Pro status automatically.

    Hope this answer brings you some helpful information. If it does, please hit "accept answer" to help others in the cummunity.

    Domic V.

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  2. Domic Vo 32,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-10T08:19:52.4+00:00

    Hi Frank Allen,

    Has your issue been resolved yet? If it has, please consider accepting the answer as it helps others sharing the same problem benefit too. Thank you :)

    Domic V.

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