Cant Activate Windows After BIOS Update

Question

Cant Activate Windows After BIOS Update

Luke 0

I just updated my bios to a newer version and now windows is telling me that it needs to be activated, i have an activation key but it doesn't work now and none of the troubleshoot apps work.

0 comments

1 answer

Your answer

Answer 1

Hi,

If you have the product key but Windows didn't activate after the BIOS update, you can wait a while to see if it activates automatically. If it doesn't...

You can try activating it using the hardware change process at the link below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activation/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change

If that doesn't work, try manual activation. First, note down your key using ShowKeyPlus: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pkvzcprx9nv?hl=en-US&gl=US (install and open the app to find your key).

After noting down the key, disconnect your PC from the internet, open the Command Prompt as administrator, and run the command: slmgr /upk (this uninstalls the current key). Then, run the command: sfc /scannow, wait for the process to finish, and restart the computer.

After restarting the PC (and keeping it offline), go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key, and enter your key to activate. If recognized, Windows will activate; then you can reconnect to the internet.

Let me know if it worked.

Thanks.

Luke 0 Reputation points

2026-07-02T11:56:47.4566667+00:00

Unfortunately none of these worked, a Microsoft employee told me that the activation key no longer works and I need to buy a new one but thanks for your help.