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My Windows 11 Pro installation was previously activated successfully on this laptop. After I updated the BIOS on my Razer Blade 14 from BIOS version 1.06 to 1.08, Windows is now showing as not activated.
Windows 11 Pro is still installed, and the system is fully updated.
I have tried the following:
Activation Troubleshooter: it cannot find a device linked to my Microsoft account that can be used to activate this device.
I have tried both of my existing Microsoft accounts.
The Product Activation Portal rejects the Installation ID with: “We’re sorry, your Installation ID was unable to be validated.”
I generated the Installation ID using SLMGR /dti.
Windows reports the licence channel as Retail.
I also checked the firmware for an embedded Windows product key. The key is present, but attempting to install it gives error 0xC004F069, indicating that it does not match the installed Windows edition.
I do not want to reinstall Windows.
How can Microsoft verify the existing digital licence for this device and restore activation of Windows 11 Pro?
A BIOS update may change the Hardware ID of the processor or motherboard, and that causes the activation servers to think you have changed your PC and that is widely reported to cause the activation errors.
Download the free ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.
Please provide a screenshot of that app window and please hide any product key in the screenshot.
The product key is a generic key which was given by Google AI. it is listed here as Installed Key. I have another key but it wasn't accepted. This generic key I haven't tried to activate. I only did that according to Google AI to make sure that the computer didn't read something with Windows 11 Home on my Razer Blade 14 2021 laptop but that it was ready to accept the proper key. you didn't ask me to hide OEM key but let me also hide that one on second thoughts. The other key which I have is found like this: (Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingService).OA3xOriginalProductKey in Terminal (Administrator). That should have been the good key. This command still shows that key. not the generic key which is shown under installed key in ShowKeyPlus. I kept updating my answer but I think I am done now. all info visible in the photo is probably allowed for public view including Product ID> the 2 keys are erased from view. I have them ready to look at with the app ShowKeyPlus though if needed.
Thank you for that information.
Your screenshot indicates there is a pre-installed OEM Windows 11 Home licence on that device with the Pro version installed, did you purchase a Pro licence separately to the PC?
YOu had responded: Thank you for that information. Your screenshot indicates there is a pre-installed OEM Windows 11 Home licence on that device with the Pro version installed, did you purchase a Pro licence separately to the PC?
I respond to that with. thanks for reposting the question about the screenshot. I have uploaded it again. I don't see your message anymore in the Microsoft Q&A so maybe you arranged your answer such that it was just sent to my email. The link See the answer https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/a/12957859 gives a 404 page not found error. That said. on your comment. I got the Razer Blade 14 second hand. It was bought new I was told by a company for an employer. They didn't take the employer in the end. They sold the new laptop to a person buying up laptops which companies don't use anymore. I bought the Razer Blade 14 (2021) from this person second hand without the receipt as he said: I can't give you the receipt for legal reasons. Anway: I double checked everything. Everything appeared to be fine. The laptop came with the Razer box and was still fully packaged. Windows was not installed yet. I can only go by memory unless there are ways to prove what I say. My memory says: I started the laptop and got a message: Windows is not yet installed. Do you want to install Windows? I said yes. I think I installed Windows 10 Pro then. I am not sure. 24 March 2025 (or there about) I went for the free upgrade. Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro. I remember that I saw Windows 11 Pro in my screen before the Razer update 1.06 to 1.08. If I have upgraded from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro in between I can't remember that.
I hope you can answer to my email as the chat with the screenshot is not here anymore. I tried to reply to your comment but I now see it went to a no reply emailaddress of Microsoft. so my emailaddress is: ******and the message I sent you is:
Dear DaveM121, I don't see your message anymore in the Microsoft Q&A so maybe you arranged your answer such that it was just sent to my email. The link See the answer https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/a/12957859 gives a 404 page not found error. That said. on your comment. I got the Razer Blade 14 second hand. It was bought new I was told by a company for an employer. They didn't take the employer in the end. They sold the new laptop to a person buying up laptops which companies don't use anymore. I bought the Razer Blade 14 (2021) from this person second hand without the receipt as he said: I can't give you the receipt for legal reasons. Anway: I double checked everything. Everything appeared to be fine. The laptop came with the Razer box and was still fully packaged. Windows was not installed yet. I can only go by memory unless there are ways to prove what I say. My memory says: I started the laptop and got a message: Windows is not yet installed. Do you want to install Windows? I said yes. I think I installed Windows 10 Pro then. I am not sure. 24 March 2025 (or there about) I went for the free upgrade. Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro. I remember that I saw Windows 11 Pro in my screen before the Razer update 1.06 to 1.08. If I have upgraded from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro in between I can't remember that. I hope this helps,
Joep de Kraker
Thank you for that detailed information.
From what I can see, the only way to resolve this problem will be to backup your files, create a bootable Windows USB and use that to clean install Windows 11 Home, that licence should then automatically activate from the Windows Home licence on the motherboard.
Thanks, Dave. I don't think a clean installation of Windows 11 Home is a solution in my case.
I was running Windows 10 Pro on this exact Razer Blade 14 before I upgraded it to Windows 11 Pro on 4 March 2025. In the Devices section of my Microsoft account, this exact Razer Blade is also listed with Windows 10 Professional.
The problem is that Windows 11 Pro subsequently lost activation after I updated the Razer BIOS. I am therefore trying to recover or verify the existing Pro licence, rather than replace it with the motherboard's Windows Home OEM licence.
Could you please reconsider the recommendation to install Windows 11 Home on that basis?
Okay, if that device is listed on your Microsoft account with the Pro version, then most likely there is a retail Pro licence linked to your Microsoft account.
Because a BIOS update caused Windows to be deactivated, you will need to contact Microsoft Support directly, they will be able to find that licence linked to your account online and they will be able to reactivate your licence for you.
