Recent CPU upgrade and BIOS update, now windows can't be activated

Question

Recent CPU upgrade and BIOS update, now windows can't be activated

philipp koerner 0

Hi, I recently changed my CPU and updated my bios, now windows says its not activated anymore. I tried reentering my activation key, but it doesn't work either, says error "0x80041023". When I go to troubleshoot, it can't troubleshoot my PC for some reason.

Thanks in advance for your help!

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EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T12:09:12.84+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, is motherboard changed?
philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T12:38:26.9+00:00

@EmilyS726 Hi, I bought it via a retailer, after i bought the PC. It was originally a windows 10 key, but i got the free upgrade to 11. The motherboard has not changed, only the CPU with a BIOS update :)
EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T12:48:39.17+00:00
Thank you. Since the motherboard didn't change, can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

slmgr /dlv

Then share a screenshot please. Thanks!
philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T16:25:50.3766667+00:00

@EmilyS726 here's the screenshot!

2 answers

Your answer

EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T12:09:12.84+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, is motherboard changed?
philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T12:38:26.9+00:00

@EmilyS726 Hi, I bought it via a retailer, after i bought the PC. It was originally a windows 10 key, but i got the free upgrade to 11. The motherboard has not changed, only the CPU with a BIOS update :)
EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T12:48:39.17+00:00

Thank you. Since the motherboard didn't change, can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

slmgr /dlv

Then share a screenshot please. Thanks!
philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T16:25:50.3766667+00:00

@EmilyS726 here's the screenshot!

Answer 1

A CPU change and BIOS update can cause Windows to see the device as changed hardware, which can break activation because the digital license is tied to the device hardware.

Try these steps:

Verify the Microsoft account used for the digital license.
- The screenshot indicates Windows cannot find a device linked to the current Microsoft account.
- Sign in with the same Microsoft account that was linked to Windows activation on this PC before the hardware change.
Run Activation Troubleshooter again.
- In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot.
- The troubleshooter is available only when Windows is not activated.
- It requires an internet connection.
- If the hardware-change option appears, use the path to reactivate after a hardware change.
If a valid 25-character product key exists, enter it manually.
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change product key.
- Enter the same product key previously used on this PC, if available.
If the motherboard was replaced, a new license may be required.
- A significant hardware change such as motherboard replacement can prevent Windows from finding a matching license.
- If Windows was preinstalled on the PC and the motherboard was changed, a new license is required.
Check that the installed Windows edition matches the license.
- In Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation, confirm whether the installed edition is the same edition the license is for, such as Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.
- If the edition does not match the license, Windows will not activate.
If Troubleshooter still cannot find the linked device, contact Microsoft customer support.
- The documented next step when the troubleshooter does not resolve activation after a significant hardware change is to contact customer support.

References:

Answer 2

EmilyS726 264.5K Independent Advisor

Thanks for the information you've prodivded so far.

Please type cmd in the search on the taskbar. Don't press enter key yet. Instead, choose "run as administrator" to launch Command Prompt.

Run these commands one at at time

slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

(replace the Xs with the actual key)

slmgr /ato

philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T16:46:06.5466667+00:00

@EmilyS726 unfortunately it doesn't work, the key is invalid apparently. I am 100% sure itis the key I

received from the retailer and the one I have used before on the same PC.
EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T16:52:24.68+00:00
Run these commands one a time, also admin mode. Wait a few hours. Then repeat the commands from earlier and see if it lets you.

slmgr /upk slmgr /cpky
Neil D 34,200 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-10T18:43:07.49+00:00

If using your key continues to fail get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store and enter the product key you received from the retailer at Check edition.

Confirm it shows the licence is for Windows 10/11.
philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T19:39:32.83+00:00

@Neil D I removed the keys correctly, and I reentered the "generic" key that was in the retailer's email, but the real key says "product not found"...
Neil D 34,200 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-10T19:48:39.6066667+00:00

@philipp koerner you cannot use a generic key for activation. My comment was to check the real key you have from the licence purchase.

Are you saying that when you enter the real key at Check edition in ShowKeyPlus it shows product not found?
philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T19:51:34.8666667+00:00

@Neil D no, when I check that key it says windows 7 spi home premium retail :)
EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T19:53:11.99+00:00

Philipp, after you removed the key, you don't want to register the generic key. You want to use your own key.

If the ShowKey Plus shows "product not found" for your key, that's a problem related to the key itself.
EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T19:55:03.4133333+00:00

Windows 7 is the problem.

You are actually running Windows 11 currently according to your slmgr /dlv screenshot.

A Windows 7 license cannot be used to activate Windows 11. A while back you might be able to, but not anymore because Microsoft closed this activation path in Sept 2023. Windpows 7 is meant for Windows 10 only if you claimed the upgrade, no longer for Windows 11.
philipp koerner 0 Reputation points

2026-09-10T19:57:18.52+00:00

Ok thank you, so I have to buy another key basically? Its weird because I have confirmation I bought the windows 10 key from a verified supplier... oh well
EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-10T20:00:39.4266667+00:00

Yes, basically.

I am afraid the retailer wasn't honest with you; they sold you a Windows 7 license. Prior to Sept 2023 that would have worked.

Just want to share a few examples.. and what support said when customers contacted support.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4087708/can-you-upgrade-to-windows-11-using-a-windows-7-pr
Neil D 34,200 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-10T20:00:53.3633333+00:00

As Emily says a Windows 7 licence cannot be used now to activate windows. Changing the CPU and updating the bios has probably prompted the licence to be check and it has been rejected.

The free upgrade to Windows 10 was for the life of the device making it effectively an OEM Windows 10 licence. It also affects the upgrade to Windows 11. So when Microsoft blocked the Windows 7/8 licences in 2023 it affects Windows 10/11.