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cskab's avatar
cskab
Copper Contributor
Jul 10, 2026

After a problematic BIOS update

Hello. My problem is that I updated my BIOS, and Windows thinks there is new hardware installed, so it disabled my activation. Why? 

Version number: 28020.2380

windows 11
Windows Insider

1 Reply

  • Jamony's avatar
    Jamony
    MCT
    Jul 11, 2026

    Hi cskab, a BIOS update can change hardware identifiers that Windows activation uses, so Windows may think the device hardware changed. First check that the Windows edition is still the same, then run the Activation Troubleshooter from Settings > System > Activation. If the license was linked to your Microsoft account, choose the option for changed hardware and select the same device. If this is an Insider build issue after the BIOS update, also report it in Feedback Hub with the BIOS version, build number, and activation error shown.