Windows 10: I linked my windows key to my microsoft account, now my PC says I have to activate...

I lost my product key about 10 years ago, it was printed on a piece of paper and the company I bought the key from no longer exists. I used the function to link my account to my product key so that this wouldn't be a problem. But now, after a couple of hours of being on, my PC says I have to activate Windows. I contacted customer support, they ran me through everything I had already done troubleshooting, logging in and out, etc. but still had no luck. I refuse to buy a new key, I already did that. This is a fault with how linking the key to my account has worked. I asked my customer support

:)

 

Activation says linked to your Microsoft account, how do you sell it?

No need to create any user accounts.

Step 1.) Clean install Windows 10, the same edition you are currently using and which is digitally licensed. Be sure to delete all existing partitions and install to unallocated space!

Step 2.) When you arrive to region selection screen, press SHIFT + F10 (press and hold SHIFT key, press F10 key and release both keys). This will open Command Prompt:





Step 3.) Enter following command and press Enter to shut down PC:

shutdown -s -t 0 -f





That's it. PC will be shut down, when the new owner will power on it first time it will be like a first boot of a new computer, letting new owner to select region and keyboard, set up user account and select privacy options.

 

Activation says linked to your Microsoft account, how do you sell it?

Agree with what Barman58 posted. It's not linked to your Microsoft Account forever. Clean install Windows, give that PC a different ID, log in with a local account. Or just stop the install at the OOBE like he said. Then just delete that device from your list of devices under your Microsoft Account. When the new owner logs in with their Microsoft ID it will be linked to their account. The linked to your Microsoft account is just an extra feature, it doesn't affect activation. I can, and have logged in with a local account on a clean install and my PC activates with its digital license just fine. Its not listed under my devices, but that no big deal to me. As soon as I log in with my Microsoft ID it appears again.

 

Linking Windows 11 Product Key to my Microsoft account

Hi



Welcome to Microsoft community.

Linking your Windows 11 product key to your Microsoft account can indeed provide a convenient way to reactivate Windows after hardware changes or a reinstallation without needing to keep track of the physical product key. Since you've attempted the standard method without success, let's explore some alternative steps and considerations that might help resolve your issue.

1. Ensure Windows is Activated

Before attempting to link your product key, make sure your copy of Windows 11 is activated.

• Open Settings.
  
• Navigate to System > Activation.
  
• Check the activation status. It should say "Windows is activated with a digital license" or "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account."
  

If it's not activated, you'll need to resolve this first. Since you've upgraded from Windows 10, your digital license should have carried over automatically. If it hasn't, you might need to troubleshoot activation issues or contact Microsoft Support.

2. Check Your Microsoft Account

Since your user account is already logged with your Microsoft account, double-check:

• That you're using the correct Microsoft account. Sometimes, users have multiple accounts and might be logged into a different one than intended.
  
• That there are no issues with your Microsoft account itself. Try accessing other Microsoft services (like Outlook or OneDrive) to ensure everything is working as expected.
  

3. Use the Activation Troubleshooter

Windows includes an Activation Troubleshooter that can help resolve common activation problems:

• Go to Settings > System > Activation.
  
• Click on Troubleshoot. This option only appears if Windows detects some activation errors.
  
• Follow the prompts to let the troubleshooter attempt to fix any detected problems.
  

4. Manually Add a Windows Key to Your Microsoft Account

If the above steps didn't work and your Windows is activated, you might try adding your Windows key directly through your Microsoft account online, though this is less straightforward and typically not required. Normally, once your digital license is activated on your hardware, Microsoft's activation servers remember your device, and linking to a Microsoft account is an additional layer of convenience, not a necessity for activation.

5. Contact Microsoft Support

If you've gone through all these steps and still can't link your product key to your Microsoft account, it might be time to contact Microsoft Support directly. They can provide more detailed assistance and potentially resolve any underlying issues preventing the link. Be ready to explain the steps you've already taken and any error messages you've encountered.

The primary goal of linking your Windows activation to your Microsoft account is for convenience in reactivating Windows, especially after significant hardware changes. The activation system is designed to be flexible and user-friendly, so even if you encounter difficulties now, there should be a viable solution.

Additional Considerations

• If you're planning on making significant hardware changes soon, such as replacing the motherboard, it's wise to ensure your digital license is linked as this is the most common scenario where reactivation becomes necessary.
  
• Keep records of any product keys, purchase emails, or receipts from when you originally bought Windows 10, as these can sometimes aid in activation or support scenarios.
  

Please feel free to let me know how it goes.



Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist