Forum Discussion
Windows 11 Activation after Drive changed
Hi all,
I recently had a host of issues on my SSD and this lead to me having to install windows on a new SSD. I wasn't too worried since I had a digital license from when I upgraded to windows 11. After the setup though I am seeing that I am no longer activated.
I have run the Troubleshooter (With the Hardware change option) and it just says:
"We can’t find any devices linked to your Microsoft account that can be used to reactivate the device that you’re using at the moment. Make sure that you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account that you linked to the Windows 10 digital licence on this device, or try again later."
I do see the new drive's PC name on the Microsoft Devices list
I would prefer to contact someone at Microsoft who can look at my account directly but there is no way past the AI chatbots
2 Replies
Replacing only an SSD should not normally invalidate a Windows 11 digital license, because activation is associated with the device hardware and installed edition. Open Settings > System > Activation and confirm that the installed edition matches the previously activated edition, such as Home or Pro. Sign in as an administrator using the same Microsoft account linked to the prior digital license, connect to the internet, and run the Activation troubleshooter. If available, select “I changed hardware on this device recently,” then choose the old device entry marked as the computer currently in use. Seeing a device name in the account’s device list does not prove that a digital license was linked. If no eligible device appears, do not enter random keys or reinstall again. Check original purchase records or a product key, note the exact activation error, and use Microsoft’s activation support guidance for that error.
I think I might partially be to blame for this. The previous SSD was still installed on my motherboard when I installed Windows on the new one. This lead to the old SSD being having the bootloader and everything. I have since removed that SSD and reinstalled windows on the new one correctly now, but I think that might have confused it a bit.
I have confirmed that the installed version is Home as I previously used and the Activation Troubleshooter says that it cannot find any valid devices when I click the hardware changed option.
I cannot even recall when I originally got a license for my Windows, it was back on Windows 7 or 8 or something and I have been upgrading versions since and hardware since. So it is strange to me that I have these issues as well. I also have no idea how I even got the initial license, I just know I had the digital one on Win11
