I am being given the eternal runaround on my Windows Digital License activation after installing a BIOS update that changed secure boot keys.

Question

I am being given the eternal runaround on my Windows Digital License activation after installing a BIOS update that changed secure boot keys.

epic Dabber 0

I have a Windows 10 Pro Digital License which still shows in the Order History of my Microsoft Account.
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The windows settings app tells me that the hardware of my device has changed with error code 0xC004F211. User's image

The Troubleshoot button under that will send me to the normal support website, which eventually through either the chatbot or the links on the page itself will bring me to https://visualsupport.microsoft.com/ After getting my installation ID through "slmgr /dlv" and inputting it on the site several times, it brings me to this: User's image

But there's two options on the troubleshooting page. User's image

Clicking "See other devices linked to your microsoft account" brings me to a page that suggests I have no devices at all!
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The final piece of the puzzle is that if I check my devices at https://account.microsoft.com/devices it will show me that I have two identical devices.
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At this point I am stuck. I cannot activate by phone if that option even still exists because I cannot find a number to call. Anything on https://support.microsoft.com will direct me to https://visualsupport.microsoft.com/ which fails and tells me to close the window. The tool built into Windows itself tells me that I have no devices, even the one I am using to access the page. My Microsoft Account says I have two of the same device. This seems like something that should be easy to fix if I could get anybody with the ability to change things to look at it with their eyeballs but Microsoft have intentionally made it as difficult as possible to bother a human over a Windows Activation problem.

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Answer 1

Lychee-Ng 28,385 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Sorry to hear that you're stuck in such an awkward position, epic Dabber,

Just wondering, have you tried clicking the other option: Contact Support to Get Help (from the 4th screenshot) yet? And what's the result? From other users' experience, activation issue is better handled via chat browser. If that link still wires you back to the Portal or another dead-end, please try:

Visit Contact Us - Microsoft Support > Sign in
Enter / choose an issue > Get Help to make request
Scroll down > click Contact Support to connect to an agent
Select a category > continue and you should reach the chat option.
If you don't see it, go through another category (e.g. Billings and payment...)
Explain that you purchased the license, but Windows 10 Pro cannot be activated.

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Note: The support contact team only works at certain times, so if the last window shows that it's unavailable, try opening it again the next day. If you prefer phone support, you can leave a phone number. This way, they can call you and help you.

One thing I must also note is that Windows 10 already reached its end of support last year. Because of that, the support team may have limited options beyond the official process that you've done.

epic Dabber 0 Reputation points

2026-09-15T11:41:38.2966667+00:00

I've been to this page a few times but I've never been able to get a contact support tab. I've only ever been able to get the chatbot which mindlessly links me back to https://visualsupport.microsoft.com/

I've been able to get a different chatbot on the store page to give me a support number, but the only result I've had from calling that number is getting hung up on by a chatbot sending me to https://visualsupport.microsoft.com/. I tried again just now and got the slightly different result that they were closed.
Lychee-Ng 28,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-15T13:33:08.66+00:00

Hi, the phone contact path is often for business users. Consumers like us are often directed to the web browser chat instead. If the chat was closed, maybe try later?

And if you don't see the option for chat, change the category. Mine above was taken when I chose Payment issue, and yours is not being able to activate your purchased license would be borderline to that.
epic Dabber 0 Reputation points

2026-09-15T15:16:29.99+00:00

I ended up getting into a live chat that lasted almost 3 and a half hours by initially framing it as asking for a refund. I went through 2 agents who both tried their best but were also unable to fix it. Apparently whatever I have going on is really stumping them.
Lychee-Ng 28,385 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-16T06:32:30.01+00:00

That’s so unfortunate. As a fellow user, I honestly don’t have much more to add when it comes to the licensing side of this.

Just my two cents though: since the issue apparently started after the BIOS update, have you considered rolling it back? Or perhaps reinstalling a Windows 10 version that doesn't include it? It may be worth checking whether the manufacturer provides a supported way to roll back that update.

I still think the best option is to keep pressing for an official check, especially since you have proof of purchase. Plus, there’s always a risk of something going wrong or losing data, particularly with a BIOS rollback or Windows reinstall. Those are really just some additional things that came to mind.

I hope you can get your Windows Pro license back to working soon.
epic Dabber 0 Reputation points

2026-09-16T13:17:27.81+00:00

Through a mix of hubris, anxiety, and being mad at the principle of it, I totally trashed my registry and ended up needing to reinstall windows anyways. I lost my pictures and music files but surprisingly not much else!

Also it still isn't activating. Didn't help on that front. I am apparently supposed to be getting a callback in a few days though so stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion.