Windows 11 Pro License Inactive After Windows 11 Pro Virtual Machine Upgrade

Question

Windows 11 Pro License Inactive After Windows 11 Pro Virtual Machine Upgrade

Michael McCreary 0

Back on February 26, 2026 I created a Windows 11 Pro Virtual Machine, and I went to the Microsoft Store to purchase the license. The digital license downloaded and successfully activated after purchase. It's been fine until today. It now tells me that Windows needs to be activated. When I try to reactivate, it gives me error code "0xC004C060". And when I click on "Troubleshoot", it displays "We weren't able to activate Windows on this device." If I click on "Contact Support to Get Help", it takes me to the automated assistant, and it goes into a loop. I just need help from an actual person with Microsoft Support. If they look at my account, they will see that I purchased the license on 2/26/2026 with my Discover card. I still dont understand why my license would just disappear. I'm still using the original VMWare Fusion Windows 11 file. I did upgrade VMWare Fusion to a newer version, but that was months ago, and I didnt have the activation issue until now. Help!!

Neil D 34,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-12T09:20:19.84+00:00

When you say Microsoft Store do you mean the Store in windows and you bought from there (digital licence) or did you use the Microsoft website?

Even though you didn't change hardware there may have been an update in VMware that caused the loss of the licence. Have you ran the activation troubleshooter and selected I change hardware (although you haven't) does it show a previous VM to transfer the licence from.

You may need to use the Get Help app in windows. Search the phrase billing and select Contact Support at the bottom of the window.

There will be a couple more filters to select then you should see the link to chat with an agent in your browser.

1 answer

Your answer

Neil D 34,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-12T09:20:19.84+00:00

When you say Microsoft Store do you mean the Store in windows and you bought from there (digital licence) or did you use the Microsoft website?

Even though you didn't change hardware there may have been an update in VMware that caused the loss of the licence. Have you ran the activation troubleshooter and selected I change hardware (although you haven't) does it show a previous VM to transfer the licence from.

You may need to use the Get Help app in windows. Search the phrase billing and select Contact Support at the bottom of the window.

There will be a couple more filters to select then you should see the link to chat with an agent in your browser.

Answer 1

Hello, Michael McCreary.

The Microsoft Store does not sell the full offline version, but only the upgrade from the Home edition to the Professional One. In addition, a unique activation key is not sent for the upgrade license. There is also a restriction on such an update - the license is permanently linked to the PC on which this update was purchased and installed. "Virtual machines" (not only VMware) can "change" their "hardware configuration" (virtual) during their operation, which can lead to activation failure. If this happened with an upgrade license, and not for the full version, then there's nothing you can do about it.

If you purchased it on the Microsoft website, and not in the MicrosoftStore, then try this:

Run the Command Prompt as an Administrator (in a virtual machine, of course) and run the commands

slmgr.vbs /ipk <ProductKey>

slmgr.vbs /ato

where <ProductKey> is a 25-digit unique product code (key) from the ESD license purchase package in the XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX format.

Restart the PC (virtual machine) and after 5-7 minutes check for activation.

Write about the result.

P.S. Error 0xC004C060 indicates that the "Key is invalid" due to the fact that "The user is most likely using an old OS build." In this case, I recommend updating Windows 11 to the current 26200.9445 either through the Update Center or using an ISO or installation media.