Windows 11 no longer activated after bios upgrade

[Stefan.coussen15ac02dc]

EDIT
Alan J T
Global Moderator
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?

 

[Alan J T]

The biggest problem is how do you fix a problem when it can not be replicated in the MSI test lab and they sure have tried.

 

[doug.hogart153b02d9]

The biggest problem is how do you fix a problem when it can not be replicated in the MSI test lab and they sure have tried.

Hard to believe, but if they have tried then I suspect they don't understand variations like I have described. For example if they try by doing a clean install and entering Product Key tied to a Microsoft Account and then do the BIOS flash upgrade, they aren't trying hard enough. They have to be doing things like digital licenses and/or installs where the keys have become "generic" and/or not tied to Microsoft Account. And probably not having toggled fTPM anything like that user-video.
Reminds me of MSI not owning up to the problem with so many Z490 flashes bricking the motherboard (until BIOS flashed by re-programmer) - obvious problem whether they have replicated in the lab or not.

 

[verickson153502d0]

That's exactly my point. No one is denying there's a problem with losing windows activation key after BIOS update, and it seems to do with TPM mechanism that once you update BIOS, windows thinks it's a different machine so it disables the license. However, I've searched this problem on the internet and realize the problem is not exclusive to MSI. Hence, my conclusion would be using the workaround from the video. It's hard to say wut the problem is, I don't see everyone using MSI board is complaining about this, otherwise the thread would be much much longer tbh.
You probably know more than I do, but either you reach MSI, microsoft, AMI, switch to ASUS board etc, I don't know, people here are trying to help you resolve the problem in user-level.

I have nothing but appreciation for anyone who has actually tried to help. The video at the top is potentially helpful; we'll see. If I ever get up the nerve to update my BIOS again.

However, most people have simply ignored what I and others on here have posted and offered things like, "it's an OEM key", "it's one of those cheap knock-off keys", "just go through the changed hardware activation routine", "it's just what you can expect when you update your BIOS, don't do it", and worst of all "you might just have to resort to calling Microsoft".

 

[verickson153502d0]

I think that is the answer right there. Sounds like because we've been using the same "key" and upgrading Windows and not buying a fresh OS, it could be tied to that. I've used the same "activation key" across 4 builds.

A retail license is supposed to be transferable from one computer to another, as long as you only use one at a time, right? Do you know of any upper limit placed on the number of times that transfer can be made? I've never read about such a thing.

 

[doug.hogart153b02d9]

A retail license is supposed to be transferable from one computer to another, as long as you only use one at a time, right? Do you know of any upper limit placed on the number of times that transfer can be made? I've never read about such a thing.

It is like you said, in the license language (I looked it up overnight). However, we don't know whether there is an "easy" version (like first few times, or times spaced out by some time like a year or whatever) and a "hard" version (like having to deal with chat/phone support instead). Plus differences could arise due to "variations" like I mentioned (whether you've gone through version upgrades etc). I am not a lawyer but it seems like you could even go to arbitration if the license terms aren't working.

 

[BrotherBelial]

A retail license is supposed to be transferable from one computer to another, as long as you only use one at a time, right? Do you know of any upper limit placed on the number of times that transfer can be made? I've never read about such a thing.

Back when I used to Fix PC's for a living, (early to mid 2000's) I'm like 99% sure you could install the licences 3-5 times with zero issue depending on the OS(we used to get a lot of the same people bringing in their PC's fully infected with viruses from P2P download programs like lime wire and share bare. So we found ourselves reinstalling windows a lot on the same PC's.) Anything after that would require phone activation or speaking to someone from MS directly.

On my current set up I believe my activation key for my Windows 11 install is a windows 7 key, or maybe even Vista as I've just upgraded from Vista all the way up to 10. (I did skip 8 and 8.1) So from initial activation, I've added 2 SSD's, a GPU and 2/3 BIOS updates. So that's 6-7 system changes since the install, so that probably why I had to phone MS once after a BIOS update and give them my activation key, that they then reactivated my OS, and probably why I've just got away with only having to do the "I've changed my build recently." to reactivate my OS last BIOS update.

 

[citay]

Since i updated my BIOS today, i thought i would test the preventative measure of disabling the fTPM and booting into Windows once before the update.

So, first step in the old BIOS, disabling the fTPM, then F10 to save & exit:

Booting into Windows, running tpm.msc to check:

Excuse the German Windows, but Win11 says "no compatible TPM found" (just as intended for this).
Windows is still activated. Local user account.

Reboot, BIOS update. Setting up the new BIOS. The fTPM 2.0 is automatically active again:

Booting into Windows. It is still activated. There are no new devices detected or anything suspicious, it's as if i've not changed anything.
TPM is shown as active:

So i think this is a resounding success. Of course i can't say if the activation would've been disabled, had i not done this preventative measure.
But what i can confirm is, i had no issues with the activation doing it this way. It took maybe two minutes more time with disabling the TPM before the update.

 

[verickson153502d0]

citay, thank you for testing that. It builds my confidence a bit for updating!

 

[Jaimemmoren152f02d3]

Since i updated my BIOS today, i thought i would test the preventative measure of disabling the fTPM and booting into Windows once before the update.

So, first step in the old BIOS, disabling the fTPM, then F10 to save & exit:

View attachment 176399

Booting into Windows, running tpm.msc to check:

View attachment 176400

Excuse the German Windows, but Win11 says "no compatible TPM found" (just as intended for this).
Windows is still activated. Local user account.

View attachment 176401

Reboot, BIOS update. Setting up the new BIOS. The fTPM 2.0 is automatically active again:

View attachment 176402

Booting into Windows. It is still activated. There are no new devices detected or anything suspicious, it's as if i've not changed anything.
TPM is shown as active:

View attachment 176403

So i think this is a resounding success. Of course i can't say if the activation would've been disabled, had i not done this preventative measure.
But what i can confirm is, i had no issues with the activation doing it this way. It took maybe two minutes more time with disabling the TPM before the update.

Thanks for the tip cuz getting really annoying having to manually activate my copy of Window after every bios update!
Looks like update just came out for my PRO Z690-A DDR4.
Also, noticed gotta enter full microsoft account password instead of PIN to log into Windows every time I upgrade BIOS so hopefully that fixes that too since sounds related.
Nope didn't work for me disabled TPM which then forced me to reset PIN when I booted into Windows to make sure it was. Then updated BIOS and TPM automatically enabled again but Windows activation state showing not active!
Also, forces me to log into iCloud again and anything else that depended on TPM which is annoying as said before.
Never had this problem with any other motherboard upgrading the BIOS but this is first one with TPM so pretty sure that is the issue.
Anyways, luckily I have license digitally tied to my MS account so able to activate it that way which what I've had to do every time I update the BIOS. Except, the first few BIOS updates for this board pretty sure it didn't force me to reactivate but has for at least last 3 BIOS updates for sure.

 

[ms154002d9]

The biggest problem is how do you fix a problem when it can not be replicated in the MSI test lab and they sure have tried.

Issue has occurred on the last three BIOS updates, for me, just running Windows 10 with a digital licence linked to my M$ account. TPM is always enabled.
After the update I have to log into my M$ account and normally deactivate the computer running the old BIOS version and then use the freed up digital licence for the same computer with the new BIOS, this normally involves running the Windows Activation Troubleshooter (Which is only available if the copy of Windows isn't activated)

 

[Alan J T]

Issue has occurred on the last three BIOS updates, for me, just running Windows 10 with a digital licence linked to my M$ account. TPM is always enabled.
After the update I have to log into my M$ account and normally deactivate the computer running the old BIOS version and then use the freed up digital licence for the same computer with the new BIOS, this normally involves running the Windows Activation Troubleshooter (Which is only available if the copy of Windows isn't activated)

Ya that fix is back on page 4 I clean up mine evey 6 to 12 months remove all unused machines or just delete all of them so it can refresh the Hardware list

 

[Jaimemmoren152f02d3]

Issue has occurred on the last three BIOS updates, for me, just running Windows 10 with a digital licence linked to my M$ account. TPM is always enabled.
After the update I have to log into my M$ account and normally deactivate the computer running the old BIOS version and then use the freed up digital licence for the same computer with the new BIOS, this normally involves running the Windows Activation Troubleshooter (Which is only available if the copy of Windows isn't activated)

Yeah that's what I normally do but for the first time it's not working and all I"m getting is unable to activate windows as our servers aren't available right now. Wait a few minutes or try adding your microsoft account again. So don't know if windows activation servers really down or problem on my end so I blame Microsoft for this fiasco since their activation software not smart enough to realize I just updated the motherboard bios and not entirely replaced with new motherboard! Also, if I recall they are always tweaking their activation algorithm or should I say breaking it. Pretty sure I recall a few Windows 11 updates ago there were notes about some activation problems being fixed supposedly.
Also, wonder if disabling TPM before doing BIOS update this time--as suggested in a previous post made my problem even worse--since was always able to activate after using troubleshooter at least. I would wait a few days to see if it automatically activates since seen it do that before but problem is having multiple sound devices and cannot make any changes since it says need to "activate" windows before u can personlize your PC! Tried disabling TPM in BIOS did nothing to help activation issue.

So like the BIOS update warning says if your PC is running fine don't bother updating it cuz u might have to put up with this activation nitemare every time!

Seems the BIOS update somehow causes the digital license linked to my microsoft account to be lost. Cuz according to this link that's how my copy of Windows was previously activated so shouldn't need to enter or change any key to activate.
Activate Windows - Microsoft Support

UPDATE:
after spending too much time trying to fix this only thing that worked was had to find original retail pro license key I used which luckily I had put in a word doc on my server while back. Had to reenter or change key in activation section and instantly activated now showing as activated with digital license tied to MS account as it had been before the BIOS upgrade!

 

[glenntidbur156f02e4]

This issue is still a mystery. I have had the problem several times in the past, but for the latest beta and the subsequent stable release (version AE?) for my pro z690a wifi ddr5 board, I haven't had to reactivate at all, and I didn't do the disable tpm thing either, the updates just worked, no issues.

The only thing different is that I bought a cheap license for like 3 quid off one of those key sites. Previously I was using a license straight from the Microsoft store which set me back a hundred quid, and gave me nothing but grief.... since switching to the 3 quid license it's been flawless. Go figure.

 

[Jaimemmoren152f02d3]

Another thing I noticed today I never seen before is message from Intel XTU saying you running "engineering sample or unreleased hardware". Guessing it has something to do with latest BIOS update for my motherboard and no wonder Windows thinks I replaced my motherboard and wanted me to reactivate!

 

[hiloudm158f02e6]

Hi, yesterday I got the same issue. I read this whole thread then come to an conclusion that my license just got burned and nearly no way to get it back. It is very strange and annoying, this should have been fixed by now. I am on PRO Z690-A WİFİ DDR4.

 

[yeahboi3415cf02e7]

Just updated the bios and MSI ate my windows 11 pro license. Hours of chat with Microsoft and they weren't any help so I'm out a decent amount of money for daring to update my bios? Is MSI going to offer me a new key? Because If I need to buy a new key I will also buy a new motherboard in the same checkout.

I have another system that uses a different brand motherboard that has gone through two maybe three bios updates also running windows 11 and that system never has to reset the pin or reactivate windows.

PRO Z690-A wifi DDR5 btw

 

[riggto156e02d7]

Stuck in this loop now too, Microsoft customer support have been no help at all.

 

[retze159302db]

I have the same Problem, PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4, Windows 11 Pro (digital license, upgraded Windows 8 Retail)

1. 19.09.23 Update Bios 7D25v1B to 7D25v1E
2. System works, I don't log in to Microsoft Account after flash
2. 20.10.23 I log in to Microsoft Account and need to set new PIN
3. 20.10.23 I get the Watermark, and can't activate Windows again

I try hard, no activation.

Why the Mainboard lose license?
Why I can't activate it again?

 

[plutomate]

Windows thought the hardware is changed due to BIOS update, so it kills the license. But usually if you contact Microsoft, they should renew it for you.
You probably reach the reset limit (5 times?), you need to talk to Microsoft.

 

[retze159302db]

I found a working solution on https://answers.microsoft.com.

Windows activation after bios update - Microsoft Q&A

After updating the bios, im unable to activate windows 11, which was already activated. You're telling me I can't update the bios without windows freaking out. I paid for this product and now the only thing the troubleshooter is telling me to do is to…

answers.microsoft.com

Edit: I deleted the rest of the post because the tool is questionable.