[SOLVED] Windows Digital License after Multiple BIOS Updates? Z790 Tomahawk

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rathaROG

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SOLVED by @fatedust HERE:

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The last time (7D91vH4), I could easily reactivated using the digital license, but now I can no longer do that. I know calling Microsoft might help, but is there any more convenient way?

Hint: I updated BIOS for multiple times (7D91vH2 -> 7D91vH3 -> 7D91vH2 -> 7D91vH4 -> 7D91vH5).

The error message: "We can't activate your copy of Windows as the digital license for this device has already been used to reactivate Windows"

1683212172305.png
 
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I had this issue recently. I just built my system and used my old key going back to Win 7. It worked fine when I installed windows but when I updated the bios on my Mag x670e for the voltage issues it deactivated windows and I had to buy another key.

Hoping that future bios updates won't be an issue but I've seen some reports of ppl with MSI boards struggling to get even valid retail keys to activate.
 
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andboniel159602e4 said:
I get this message if i use a 5 use license and update bios more then the 5 times, the oem keys i use works forever.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info!

c.chamberlain68159502de said:
I had this issue recently. I just built my system and used my old key going back to Win 7. It worked fine when I installed windows but when I updated the bios on my Mag x670e for the voltage issues it deactivated windows and I had to buy another key.

Hoping that future bios updates won't be an issue but I've seen some reports of ppl with MSI boards struggling to get even valid retail keys to activate.
Click to expand...
Yeah hope so

fatedust said:
Just find this video might help:
Click to expand...
Interesting! I'll try it. Thanks!
 
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I had the same issue, after bios update from H2 -> H4 , windows was no longer activated.
I couldn't get to fix it, if I used the troubleshooter, it would say the code was not valid.
Almost bought a new digital license, but then I stumbled on this on a Microsoft forum and it fixed it for me.
Maybe it can help someone else:

Open Windows Powershell by tapping Windows Key and X at same time and in the popup select Windows Powershell (use Admin mode!)
  1. Type slmgr -upk then hit Enter
  2. Type slmgr /cpky then hit Enter
  3. Type slmgr /rearm then hit Enter
Then select Start button and go to Settings.

Select Update and Security
Select Activation on the left
Then under the word Windows try to activate again or do the Troubleshooter and select change of hardware and execute.
That should clear out the activation error and the Activate should be successful!
 
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yannick.tielen127e02a4 said:
I had the same issue, after bios update from H2 -> H4 , windows was no longer activated.
I couldn't get to fix it, if I used the troubleshooter, it would say the code was not valid.
Almost bought a new digital license, but then I stumbled on this on a Microsoft forum and it fixed it for me.
Maybe it can help someone else:

Open Windows Powershell by tapping Windows Key and X at same time and in the popup select Windows Powershell (use Admin mode!)
  1. Type slmgr -upk then hit Enter
  2. Type slmgr /cpky then hit Enter
  3. Type slmgr /rearm then hit Enter
Then select Start button and go to Settings.

Select Update and Security
Select Activation on the left
Then under the word Windows try to activate again or do the Troubleshooter and select change of hardware and execute.
That should clear out the activation error and the Activate should be successful!
Click to expand...

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
 
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rathaROG said:
The last time (7D91vH4), I could easily reactivated using the digital license, but now I can no longer do that. I know calling Microsoft might help, but is there any more convenient way?

Hint: I updated BIOS for multiple times (7D91vH2 -> 7D91vH3 -> 7D91vH2 -> 7D91vH4 -> 7D91vH5).

The error message: "We can't activate your copy of Windows as the digital license for this device has already been used to reactivate Windows"

View attachment 172255
Click to expand...
Happened to me on msi Z790 ACE had to buy new license, complained to MS but no one gives a slightest crap and msi as always plays dumb and keeps mouth shut. Oh!! I'm so done with msi for my next build I'm going to happily terminate my loooong "love" relationship with this completely consumer ignorant company.
 
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yannick.tielen127e02a4 said:
I had the same issue, after bios update from H2 -> H4 , windows was no longer activated.
I couldn't get to fix it, if I used the troubleshooter, it would say the code was not valid.
Almost bought a new digital license, but then I stumbled on this on a Microsoft forum and it fixed it for me.
Maybe it can help someone else:

Open Windows Powershell by tapping Windows Key and X at same time and in the popup select Windows Powershell (use Admin mode!)
  1. Type slmgr -upk then hit Enter
  2. Type slmgr /cpky then hit Enter
  3. Type slmgr /rearm then hit Enter
Then select Start button and go to Settings.

Select Update and Security
Select Activation on the left
Then under the word Windows try to activate again or do the Troubleshooter and select change of hardware and execute.
That should clear out the activation error and the Activate should be successful!
Click to expand...
NOP!in my case for Win 11Pro
 
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DarkOmenX said:
Happened to me on msi Z790 ACE had to buy new license, complained to MS but no one gives a slightest crap and msi as always plays dumb and keeps mouth shut. Oh!! I'm so done with msi for my next build I'm going to happily terminate my loooong "love" relationship with this completely consumer ignorant company.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's annoying and I'm not sure whom to blame as it also happens to other Z790 boards from other manufactures. My sister's build has gigabyte Z790 aorus board, and it has the exact same issue the last time I updated BIOS for her. I think it's common issue on Z790 boards due the new security TPM things...

How about the suggested video by @fatedust ? Disable FTPM, then login Windows & Microsoft account, then enable FTPM? Does it work? I am waiting for the next BIOS update and see if it really works.
 
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rathaROG said:
Yeah it's annoying and I'm not sure whom to blame as it also happens to other Z790 boards from other manufactures. My sister's build has gigabyte Z790 aorus board, and it has the exact same issue the last time I updated BIOS for her. I think it's common issue on Z790 boards due the new security TPM things...

How about the suggested video by @fatedust ? Disable FTPM, then login Windows & Microsoft account, then enable FTPM? Does it work? I am waiting for the next BIOS update and see if it really works.
Click to expand...
will try but sure as hell I'm not going to buy another license for PRO , msi can buy it because it happened after the BIOS update they released. I don't give a damn what the reason is I'm blaming msi they have to get their crap sorted out between them Microsoft and Intel, msi took my money therefore their fault and responsibility.
 
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DarkOmenX said:
will try but sure as hell I'm not going to buy another license for PRO , msi can buy it because it happened after the BIOS update they released. I don't give a damn what the reason is I'm blaming msi they have to get their crap sorted out between them Microsoft and Intel, msi took my money therefore their fault and responsibility.
Click to expand...

Just contact Microsoft, they'll reactivate it for you on their end. I had it happen to me a while ago, when I installed windows on to an M2 SSD.
 
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Richj44 said:
All you have to do is link your license to your Microsoft account and activation issues go away.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that is not always true. It is true for "retail" licenses (which are typically >$100). But non-retail licenses may have terms which do not allow transferring license to a different PC, and the BIOS flash update seems to make Windows think it is a different PC. So you then have to see if you can somehow contact Microsoft licensing and convince them that it is the same PC. To be clear, the linking will work and you get appropriate messages, except when you try to re-activate under the linked account it may fail.
 
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Just wanted to chime in after updating BIOS on my Z690 Edge Wifi DDR4,
Windows was not activated as others have experienced and I was unable
to resolve the issue like normally.
Scheduled a Microsoft support person to call me,
the second person I talked to was very knowledgeable
and was able to put me in contact with a third person
who gave me the Win 11 Pro Key that I had purchased
legitimately back in June 2022.

Took 3 days but it's over and I've got a fresh key.
 
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wegbore152e02d6 said:
Just wanted to chime in after updating BIOS on my Z690 Edge Wifi DDR4,
Windows was not activated as others have experienced and I was unable
to resolve the issue like normally.
Scheduled a Microsoft support person to call me,
the second person I talked to was very knowledgeable
and was able to put me in contact with a third person
who gave me the Win 11 Pro Key that I had purchased
legitimately back in June 2022.

Took 3 days but it's over and I've got a fresh key.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if it works on Z690, but you should give it a shot.
rathaROG said:
I can confirm it works. Just flashed the H4 back. :D
Click to expand...
 
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