Windows 10: Can't activate Windows 11 Home with digital license purchased through MS Store

I recently installed Windows 11 on a custom built pc, and have been unable to activate it. When I first tried to activate it, it failed claiming a hardware change as the reason. The only change I had made was a bios update after the os was installed. The trouble shooter hasn't worked, nor have any of the support guides. So, I reinstalled windows, and it still didn't work. I tried to contact the support team, but I don't think they even exist.At this point, I'm fairly certain that I have tried literally everything and none of it worked. I'm not going to buy another license. Is there anything th

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Windows 11 activation with a digital license for Windows 10

Good Day Hendis,

I appreciate your time getting back to this thread, you can try to install Windows 11 and check if you can activate it , it the license before is a OEM license it wont activate.

If you are planning to purchase a license yes you can purchase a license from Microsoft Store, you can purchase a Windows 10 license and use it to activate your computer.

Microsoft is not selling Windows 11 license , it is only a free upgrade, you can purchase the Windows 10 license.

Have a wonderful day ahead and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Carlo T.

 

Windows won't activate a digital license but will with a product key?

Thank you for the insight

That's interesting. So you are suggesting after I make my next clone, I enter a generic product key in windows activation and THEN follow up with purchasing (or transferring) a digital license? Do I understand you correctly? If so, I'll try that on my next build.

It is possible. My only experience seeing it not cleared up in an hour (besides, of course, having the wrong time on my machine or a truly faulty connection) was many years ago. When I contacted Microsoft, they were able to diagnose that my license wasn't valid but couldn't tell me why. If memory serves me correctly, I attempted to move a license from a windows ten machine that initially was an upgrade from windows seven. I discovered (on this forum) that a windows ten license that was upgraded from windows seven license was not eligible to be transferred to a new machine. And I was not able to purchase a digital license. I needed a product key.

I couldn't find reputable dealers that are still selling retail windows 10 licenses (for example, Best Buy only lists the Spanish version of windows home on their website). But since I just learned that a windows 11 license can be used my concern has been allayed.

 

How does a Windows 10 'digital license' activate the OS?

source: Activate Windows - Microsoft Support

Does MS digital license 'fingerprint' hardware information during the free upgrade / activation and store it (at Microsoft) , so that the next re-install queries MS for the fingerprint and activates Windows 10?

Thought the disk drive may change, I expect that none of the other fingerprinted hardware will change.