How can activate my windows when it deactivated itself.

Radmehr Nourmohammadi 0 Reputation points
2026-09-19T22:12:08.3733333+00:00

Hi, I ordered a prebuilt pc and after using it for about a year my windows have been deactivated for some reason. I have the product key, I got it from ShowKeyPlus, but I just don't know what to do because even when I typed it in the change thing under activation status it still didn't work. Also, the troubleshooting keeps running into an error. Please help me fix this

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-19T22:12:21.4933333+00:00

    For a prebuilt PC that was activated before and then deactivated, use this order:

    1. Make sure the PC is online. Windows activation requires an internet connection.
    2. Run the Activation troubleshooter as an administrator.
      • In Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot
      • The troubleshooter is available only when Windows is not activated.
    3. Check the edition shown in Activation.
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation.
      • Confirm the installed edition matches the license, such as Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. If the installed edition does not match the license, Windows will not activate.
    4. Try the product key again from Activation.
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
      • Enter the 25-character key and complete the prompts.
    5. If the PC came from an OEM/prebuilt builder, look for a COA sticker/card on the device.
      • Some prebuilt systems use a COA key on the PC case. If present, use that key in Change product key.
    6. If there was a recent hardware repair or motherboard replacement, that can break activation.
      • If the original manufacturer replaced the motherboard, the PC should reactivate automatically.
      • If it did not, use Settings > System > Activation and try re-entering the product key.
    7. If Troubleshooter still fails:
      • If the PC is new and never activated, contact the PC manufacturer.
      • If the PC was repaired by an independent repair facility, contact them to confirm whether the repair requires a new license.
      • If additional help is needed reactivating Windows, contact customer support.

    Important: a key shown by a third-party tool is not enough by itself to confirm it is the correct key for the installed edition. If the PC was originally licensed for a different edition than the one currently installed, reinstalling the matching edition may be required before activation will succeed.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Alexandr S 106.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-19T22:57:01.76+00:00

    Hello, Radmehr Nourmohammadi.

    You can legally activate the OS only if you have the appropriate license. Please specify, was the license pre-installed by the assembler/seller when assembling the PC, or did you purchase it separately as a BOX/ESD version? Also post a screenshot of the command window here

    slmgr.vbs /dlv

    This will help you find out more precisely the source of the license and the activation error.

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  3. Alexandr S 106.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-19T23:39:38.17+00:00

    It's very strange, considering that ShowKeyPlus indicates a license*... Try following these steps:

    1. Run the Command Prompt as an Administrator and run the commands in order

    slmgr.vbs /ipk <ProductKey>

    slmgr.vbs /ato

    where <ProductKey> is a 25-digit unique product key in the XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX format

    1. After executing the commands, restart the PC and check for activation after 5-7 minutes.

    *OEM:DM indicates that the OS is pre-installed by the system builder. The unique key must be printed on the COA (certificate of authenticity), which must be glued to the case of the PC system unit. If there is no certificate, then this may indicate the seller's bad faith (such cases have already happened).

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  4. Alexandr S 106.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-20T00:22:45.7066667+00:00

    A little wrong:

    User's image

    Instead of <ProductKey>, enter the key. For an example:

    slmgr.vbs /ipk BT79Q-G7N6G-PGBYW-4YWX6-6F4BT

    (the key is just as an example!)

    Also, post a screenshot of the command window here

    winver

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  5. Alexandr S 106.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-20T00:47:12.9933333+00:00

    Restart the PC and re-enter the commands. Use the key shown by the ShowKeyPlus app.

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