Windows 11 no longer activated after bios upgrade

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Stefan.coussen15ac02dc

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Alan J T
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A Fix has been provided
Please watch this Video

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I updated my bios 3 days ago hoping it would fix some usb issues I was having. Now my windows install is no longer activated (OEM key). Any one else got this problem?
How do you fix it?
Trouble shoot windows activations does not help.
entering the same key also does not work.

So any idea how to fix this and is this a f**-up from MSI bios update?
 
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Solution
Alan J T
schuett.un157c02e2 said:
Yesterday, I had the same problem. MEG Z690 UNIFY updated from 1.90 to 1.B0, and the activation was gone and couldn't be reactivated. I told people about that problem on the official MS Forum, and people couldn't believe the loss of activation. Luckily, after reentering the Windows key, Windows was activated.
Click to expand...
Please see Video
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Happened to me a few minutes ago - MSI PRO Z690 A DDR4 - downgrade BIOS from 7D25v1A to 7D25v19
Solution (windows 11) > go to settings > system > activation > click troubleshoot.
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Just happened to me, this morning. I'm running an MSI PRO Z690-A DDR5 motherboard.
Upgraded from the VA.70 (23-Jun-22) BIOS release to the VA.A0 (9-Jan-23) version. Had to run the activation troubleshooter, after relogging into my M$ account, and then pick my current machine, with the activation issue, from the list available (I had six PCs listed, I use Azure VMs), took two attempts as the currently named PC is listed twice.
I'm guessing it's down to the total reset of all BIOS values wiping some unique GUID/Key as part of the update.
 
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Same here MEG Z790 GODLIKE (MS-7D85) updated bios V1.2 and Win11 no longer Activated
Digital license bought the 9 of February
Activation not working troubleshooting (Error 0x803FABBA no info from MS just found that other people got it too in 2016)
Try "Hardware Change" didn't find any of my recent license (Only very old one)
Although all are visible in history order on the Microsoft Account
Try logout from MS Account on the computer ->then Local ->then Back login MS -> Still the same
I had two time my computer showing on account, couldn't link any of them to my computer (no option)
Deleted the two computer In MS Account and tried again activating : Same
But my computer showed back the day after in my MS Account (But didn't change anything on activation)
Tried to call MS on phone -> Very polite key choice robot that end up telling me basicly look on internet...
I'm on my way for a full new install (without hope) and next back on the online MS Help
This new installation is cursed just when I thought that the MSI Center was going to work at last...
 
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Yesterday, I had the same problem. MEG Z690 UNIFY updated from 1.90 to 1.B0, and the activation was gone and couldn't be reactivated. I told people about that problem on the official MS Forum, and people couldn't believe the loss of activation. Luckily, after reentering the Windows key, Windows was activated.
 
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schuett.un157c02e2 said:
Yesterday, I had the same problem. MEG Z690 UNIFY updated from 1.90 to 1.B0, and the activation was gone and couldn't be reactivated. I told people about that problem on the official MS Forum, and people couldn't believe the loss of activation. Luckily, after reentering the Windows key, Windows was activated.
Click to expand...
Please see Video
 
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Solution
Cheers.

I bought a couple of weeks back a MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI DDR4. After I installed components to my chassis I immediately re-activated my digital windows license without any problems.

I have had busy couple of weeks and then finally got over to update latest bios to said board few days ago. It was fun and great experience after many years of flashing my old Asus board... With only a red line filling up from zero to hundred.

Next few days haven't been so glorious. Bios update totally messed up my windows license and it cannot be reactivated even with many people from microsoft support trying to figure out the problem.

The show will continue tomorrow, and there has been great insights in how to fix the problem... But I would point the finger towards the bios installed for the cause of this problem.

I had windows 11 installed to pcie3 m2 drive in old setup and got a new faster pcie 4 drive to speed up the windows boot up. In the end I propably ended to a similar situation as the poster earlier.

I did research about the problems related to this board before I bought it but I missed the elephant in the room...this message chain that is. Unfortunately or fortunately I did find it afterwards... I would have skipped getting this MB had I known about this kind of problems.
 
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rog-forum.asus.com

Z690 Apex BIOS Flashing and W11 De-Activation Frustrated...Any Suggestions?

So the last 2 BIOS Updates I have flashed on my Z690 Apex Board results in W11 becoming De-Activated...I know right, its a first for me. The first time it happened I went through the "Change Hardware" prompt and it worked no problem. The second time it happened this same troubleshooting fix...
rog-forum.asus.com rog-forum.asus.com
Well, it doesn't appear you can skip the problem by skipping the MB :ROFLMAO: Try follow the video to bypass the problem.
 
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Same issue! First time ever I have had to reactivate Windows for a simple FW update for a MOBO. You only get one of these and then you are hosed. It is not a hardware change folks. The FW update is showing a hardware charge in Windows 11. Serious issue for customers!
Warning do not do a FW update unless you are dying!
MPG Z590 GAMING FORCE
 
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Same issue! First time ever I have had to reactivate Windows for a simple FW update for a MOBO. You only get one of these and then you are hosed. It is not a hardware change folks. The FW update is showing a hardware charge in Windows 11. Serious issue for customers!
Warning do not do a FW update unless you are dying!
MPG Z590 GAMING FORCE
Click to expand...

Or just get a Retail Version of Windows all most every case is Windows OEM, one is not really supposed to swap an OEM from PC to PC

Follow the video so you don't die from updating BIOS! :deadlaugh:
Click to expand...

:biggthumbsup::unsure::doublefun::doublefun::doublefun::doublefun::hiha::hiha::hiha::hiha:
 
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So follow up!!!!
Since I used my only one hardware change with a Bios update. Will the above step disable windows forever? Anyway, same system and new build for a year with no changes.
 
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It will not disable anything, instead, you can update BIOS without deactivating windows again.
The problem or limitation is happening on boards from different vendor so honestly speaking, can't really say it's a Microsoft/MSI/Intel/AMD etc's problem.
I can only say it's just how fTPM work and the consequence of having a more secure system :cry:
 
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pogoet154602d9 said:
So follow up!!!!
Since I used my only one hardware change with a Bios update. Will the above step disable windows forever? Anyway, same system and new build for a year with no changes.
Click to expand...
End the Problem Go Retail
1688980864439.png
 
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plutomate said:
It will not disable anything, instead, you can update BIOS without deactivating windows again.
The problem or limitation is happening on boards from different vendor so honestly speaking, can't really say it's a Microsoft/MSI/Intel/AMD etc's problem.
I can only say it's just how fTPM work and the consequence of having a more secure system :cry:
Click to expand...
Will try that next!
 
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I had this again after the most recent bios update on my Pro Z-690 A Wifi (DDR5).

I've ended up just buying a license form one of these key selling places. It was something like £3 for a retail license which can then be reactivated as many times as needed.

Bit stupid really, because I originally paid the full £100+ for a license direct from the Microsoft store. Having been through their help process before, and having them remote access my pc, and still not really be able to fix it (they ended up having to unlink an old license from an unused device on my account, and use THAT on my current PC)....I didn't fancy going through all that again, as it took about 3 hours last time....I'll never buy a license direct from Microsoft again. A few clicks and a few quid later, I now have a license that I can use on this build, or any future build once this machine reaches the end of it's days and it's time to upgrade.
 
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Alan J T said:
Not likely caused by the BIOS or there be a flood of complaints
Click to expand...

I just had the same problem. It always happens every BIOS update.
Needs to reset Windows PIN, and Windows activation gone needs restart and troubleshooting.

2022 last year just google BIOS Windows actiavtion gone and you'll see lots of people with the same Brand MSI Mobo and problem.
 
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kitsunedeleo161402ee said:
I just had the same problem. It always happens every BIOS update.
Needs to reset Windows PIN, and Windows activation gone needs restart and troubleshooting.

2022 last year just google BIOS Windows actiavtion gone and you'll see lots of people with the same Brand MSI Mobo and problem.
Click to expand...
 
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This happened to me, too. I have talked to twelve different Microsoft people and have no solution yet. I have a call scheduled with an "elevated" team tomorrow.

I have a retail license.

OK, I saw the video. It shows how to PREVENT the problem. Is there any help on how to SOLVE the problem?
 
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I answered my own question.

I tried the procedure in the video. It did NOT solve the problem.

I purchased a third-party retail license. That fixed it.

MSI, this is very poor. You need to fix this.
 
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