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Kent0240's avatar
Kent0240
Occasional Reader
Nov 03, 2025

Windows 11 Pro activation fails indicting hardware changed

Receive unable to activate windows - looks like hardware on this device has changed

My old laptop was dying. Proactively purchased a win 11 pro license through my company benefits site since I knew my current system would have to be replaced.

Purchased a new laptop with Win 11 Home. Changed to local account for login and uninstalled some bloatware.  Attempted to upgrade to Pro and receivied the unable to activate due to hardware changes. This is an out of the box laptop, no hardare changes have been made.

I tried using the generic key and the change to the new license fix posted on this site and still get the same activation error.

I now have an unactivated Windows 11 Pro on the system.

I logged into my MS account and checked licensed devices under Microsoft Account - Devices

Strangely, it no longer lists my old HP laptop which was a win 11 pro. Just the new ASUS laptop.

I had hopes to replace a few motherboard solder points and revice the old HP system for a grandchild. Concerned now that the HP system is missing that i will encounter licensing issues for it as well once it is revived.

Additonal point, not sure if it matters, but I did use the same device name for the new laptop that i had on the old one

Thanks,

Kent Engle

 

 

licensing

1 Reply

  • Wayneyan's avatar
    Wayneyan
    Iron Contributor
    Nov 04, 2025

    It sounds like you're experiencing activation issues with Windows 11 Pro after upgrading your new ASUS laptop, even though no hardware changes have been made since purchase. The activation error indicates that Windows thinks the hardware has changed, and your old device no longer appears under your Microsoft account devices, which complicates re-activation and licensing management. You’ve already tried using a generic key and the suggested license fix, but the problem persists, leaving you with an unactivated Windows 11 Pro and concerns about licensing for both your new and old devices.

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