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wisejayc's avatar
wisejayc
Copper Contributor
Jun 06, 2026

Build 26300 Activation fail..

After I Upgrade to 26300 from Broken Foced Update 26200, Begging of April 2026.

Struggle with Help of Co-pilot & Gemini, 20 Hrs a Day, Couldn't Fix...

I Tried Reinstall 26100 & 26200 from Usb, Format,

Cleaned by Co-pilot & Gemini Min 40+ Times,

Cannot Fix., I Upgraded to 26300,

Problem Still Exist but 70% of 26100 & 26200 ,

but, I Cannot Actibate Pre-installed with Dell Xps 8960 ,

Upgraded Pro, After 26200 Trouble,

Pro Licence Gone, with Help Co-pilot & Gemini,

Retrieve Machin Id with Cmd,

but Activation, Reject.

Ms Activation Chat Cannot Fix,

Ms Recommend to Start a Session Here... Jay C

activation
insider

3 Replies

  • Allan Solomon Mejia's avatar
    Allan Solomon Mejia
    Tin Contributor
    Jul 15, 2026

    Hi WiseJay,

    Since you've already reinstalled Windows multiple times, I'd stop focusing on the OS and verify the license state first. I'd recommend running the following from an elevated Command Prompt:

    slmgr /dlv

    slmgr /xpr

    These commands will confirm the installed edition, activation channel (OEM, Retail, or Volume), and whether Windows is permanently activated or reporting a licensing error. Because you're using a Dell XPS, the original Windows license is typically embedded in the system's UEFI/BIOS. If you've accidentally installed a different edition (for example, Enterprise instead of Pro, or Pro for Workstations), the embedded digital license won't activate.

    One additional check is to sign in with the Microsoft account that previously held the digital license and run the Activation Troubleshooter (Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot) to see if the license can be re-associated with the device after the Insider build upgrade. If you can share the output of slmgr /dlv (you can redact the partial product key), it should provide enough information to determine whether this is an edition mismatch, licensing channel issue, or activation service problem.

  • Beverly's avatar
    Beverly
    Brass Contributor
    Jul 15, 2026

    Go to Settings > System > Activation. Make absolutely sure it says you have Windows 11 Pro installed, not Home, because the license is edition-specific .

  • Jamony's avatar
    Jamony
    MCT
    Jul 10, 2026

    Hi Jay, after that many reinstalls I would stop and verify the licensing basics. Check Settings > System > Activation and run `slmgr /dlv` to see the installed edition and license channel. A Dell firmware license only activates its matching edition; an Enterprise/evaluation or mismatched Pro installation will not use an OEM Home entitlement. Insider evaluation builds can also display expiry information separately from activation. Back up your data, create official stable Windows 11 media, and install the edition originally licensed for the Dell. If stable Windows still rejects the digital license, contact Microsoft activation support with the Dell service tag and proof of the Pro upgrade.