WINDOWS 11 pro reset pc makes my pc not activating my windows 10 key

Question

WINDOWS 11 pro reset pc makes my pc not activating my windows 10 key

Patrick De Leon 0

my windows 10 key was upgraded to a windows 11 key because of the free upgrade to windows, ive reset my pc so that it would be clear of all files but now when i try to activate my windows key also did troubleshoot it wont let me activate my license key saying it cant be reactivated

Neil D 34,285 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T18:18:52.56+00:00
Can you give some details about the windows 10 licence you have.

Was it part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.

Was it supplied by the system builder or manufacturer.

Did you buy the Windows 10 licence yourself separate from the device. (was it from Microsoft)
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:03:00.0233333+00:00

i bought my windows 10 key seperate from the device oem key
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:04:26.4766667+00:00

what i did was i bought windows 10 pro key then windows said i can upgrade to windows 11 after a while i wanted to reset my pc bc of my storage a few things that i had changed from my pc was changed my processor and updated my bios but then now it wouldnt activate now
Neil D 34,285 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T19:20:26.94+00:00

Do you still have the key you bought, you need that. If inputting the key again in settings does not work then get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store it will display the current keys in use.

Select Check edition, input the key and make sure it confirms a Windows 10 OEM licence.

If you just bought a product key at a reduced price I'm afraid they are not supported by Microsoft. You may need to buy a new Windows 11 licence.
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:32:48.3733333+00:00

it says this
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:37:57.2833333+00:00

my key was activated on windows 10 and went with the free upgrade i just did a reset on pc because i wanted to clear all files then when reactivating it wont let me saying my microsoft isnt tied to a license key when for sure its detected in my settings the only thing i changed in my pc was bios update and a processor upgrade
Neil D 34,285 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T20:08:32.74+00:00

So then. There is nothing wrong with the licence itself but it should not be sold outside computer manufacturers market. The OEM_DM refers to an OEM licence but is a digital marker licence for use by manufacturers to have embedded in the bios and not sold separately.

In the right circumstances it will be valid for Windows 10 and 11 Pro edition. If it has been flagged by Microsoft they could be blocking its use.

Go to Settings and search change product key and you should see the option to input your key. Input the key and follow any instructions to see if it activates Windows 11.

2 answers

Your answer

Neil D 34,285 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T18:18:52.56+00:00

Can you give some details about the windows 10 licence you have.

Was it part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.

Was it supplied by the system builder or manufacturer.

Did you buy the Windows 10 licence yourself separate from the device. (was it from Microsoft)
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:03:00.0233333+00:00

i bought my windows 10 key seperate from the device oem key
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:04:26.4766667+00:00

what i did was i bought windows 10 pro key then windows said i can upgrade to windows 11 after a while i wanted to reset my pc bc of my storage a few things that i had changed from my pc was changed my processor and updated my bios but then now it wouldnt activate now
Neil D 34,285 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T19:20:26.94+00:00

Do you still have the key you bought, you need that. If inputting the key again in settings does not work then get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store it will display the current keys in use.

Select Check edition, input the key and make sure it confirms a Windows 10 OEM licence.

If you just bought a product key at a reduced price I'm afraid they are not supported by Microsoft. You may need to buy a new Windows 11 licence.
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:32:48.3733333+00:00

it says this
Patrick De Leon 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:37:57.2833333+00:00

my key was activated on windows 10 and went with the free upgrade i just did a reset on pc because i wanted to clear all files then when reactivating it wont let me saying my microsoft isnt tied to a license key when for sure its detected in my settings the only thing i changed in my pc was bios update and a processor upgrade
Neil D 34,285 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T20:08:32.74+00:00

So then. There is nothing wrong with the licence itself but it should not be sold outside computer manufacturers market. The OEM_DM refers to an OEM licence but is a digital marker licence for use by manufacturers to have embedded in the bios and not sold separately.

In the right circumstances it will be valid for Windows 10 and 11 Pro edition. If it has been flagged by Microsoft they could be blocking its use.

Go to Settings and search change product key and you should see the option to input your key. Input the key and follow any instructions to see if it activates Windows 11.

Answer 1

If Windows 10 was upgraded to Windows 11 through the free upgrade, activation is typically tied to the device’s digital license. After a reset, Windows should reactivate automatically when the device is online and the hardware matches the license.

Try this in order:

Check activation status in Start > Settings > System > Activation.
If Windows is not activated, use the Activation troubleshooter:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
- The troubleshooter is available only when Windows is not activated.
- An internet connection is required.
- Sign in as an administrator before running it.
Make sure the Microsoft account previously linked to the digital license is being used. Linking the Microsoft account to the digital license is important for reactivation after changes.
If a product key is available, enter it manually:
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
- Enter the 25-character product key.
Check that the installed edition matches the license. If the license is for Windows 11 Pro, the installed edition must also be Windows 11 Pro or activation will fail.
If there was a significant hardware change such as a motherboard replacement, Windows may no longer find a matching license. In that case, use the reactivation guidance for hardware changes.
If the troubleshooter does not fix it, contact support.

A reset alone should not normally prevent reactivation when the device has the correct edition and the digital license is still associated with the same hardware.

References:

Answer 2

Patrick De Leon 0

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Neil D 34,285 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T18:49:43.92+00:00

I'm sorry you haven't answered any of my previous questions.