Since the release of Windows 11 24H2 update, Windows users have been reporting weird issues. One set of users have found their Windows 11 deactivated after installing 24H2 feature update. After a thorough investigation, we have found out that the 24H2 update is overwriting the Windows key and replacing it with a generic key. You can solve the problem following these set of solutions.
Fix 1 – Run a PowerShell script
You have to just a simple PowerShell script to check and rectify this activation key problem.
NOTE –
You must know your Windows 11 product key. There are different sorts of activation processes. Depending upon the activation process that your device uses, follow the steps –
a. If you have a physical copy of Windows, check the back side of the CD drive for the product key.
b. Open up a Command Prompt with administrative rights and use this command to fetch the key.
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
c. If your Windows machines come with Windows 11 pre-activated or pre-installed, or if you have upgraded from Windows 10, it should have a digital activation. Check if this is the case from –
Update & Security > Activation
If your device is digitally activated, follow the Fix 4.
Now, once you have got the product key, follow these steps –
Step 1 – Open up a blank Notepad file.
Step 2 – Paste these lines there –
# Windows 11 product key
$Key = "PUT-KEY-HERE"
# Function to check activation status
function Check-ActivationStatus {
$activationInfo = Get-WmiObject -Query "SELECT LicenseStatus FROM SoftwareLicensingProduct WHERE PartialProductKey IS NOT NULL AND LicenseFamily LIKE '%Windows%'"
return $activationInfo.LicenseStatus -contains 1
}
# Check current activation status
if (Check-ActivationStatus) {
Write-Host "Windows is already activated. No action needed." -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
Write-Host "Windows is not activated. Attempting to install and activate the key..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
try {
# Installing the product key
& cscript.exe "$env:SystemRoot\System32\slmgr.vbs" /ipk $Key
Start-Sleep -Seconds 5
# Attempting activation
& cscript.exe "$env:SystemRoot\System32\slmgr.vbs" /ato
Start-Sleep -Seconds 10
# Check activation status again
if (Check-ActivationStatus) {
Write-Host "Windows has been successfully activated." -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
Write-Host "Activation failed. Please check the product key or network connection." -ForegroundColor Red
}
} catch {
Write-Host "An error occurred: $_" -ForegroundColor Red
}
}
Step 3 – Replace the “PUT-KEY-HERE” in the code with the product key that you have got earlier.
Step 4 – Then, tap the “File” and tap “Save As” option.
Step 5 – Now, switch the ‘File type:’ to “All Files“. Name this “W11KeyScript.ps1“.
Step 6 – Save the script file in an easily accessible location.
Step 7 – Once you have saved the file, right-tap the “W11KeyScript” script file and tap “Run with PowerShell” to run the PowerShell script with elevated administrative rights.
You have to run this script after installing the 24H2 update. The script does automatically install the key, if there has been a problem with the activation process during the update installation process.
Fix 2 – Use the Activation Troubleshooter
Windows automatically shows up the troubleshooter option to sort out the activation issue on the machine.
Step 1 – To do this, load up the Settings console.
Step 2 – Then, go ahead to the “System” settings.
Step 3 – Next, open up the “Activation” settings.
This page should show up the Activation status in there.
Step 4 – Use the ‘Troubleshoot‘ option there to troubleshoot the activation issue.
Follow the on-screen steps and complete the necessary steps to troubleshoot the activation issue on your system.
Fix 3 – Re-enter the Product key
Some of the users have taken care of this problem simply by re-entering the product key in the Settings page.
NOTE – This solution will not work if your Windows 11 is digitally activated.
Step 1 – To do this, you must have the Windows 11 Activation key ready.
Step 2 – If you have it, just go to the Settings console, and later open up the “System” settings.
Step 3 – Then, load up the “Activation” settings there.
Step 4 – In the “Change Product Key” section, tap the “Change” option.
Step 5 – Then, go ahead and paste the 16-digit activation key in the box and click “Next“.
That’s it! Windows will recognize the activation key and re-activate the Windows 11 24H2.
Fix 4 – Use the Slmgr script
If your Windows 11 is digitally activated, you may not get your hands on the activation key used to activate your machine.
Step 1 – Search for the “Command” using the search box.
Step 2 – Then, right-click the “Command Prompt” and tap “Run as administrator” to load it up with administrative privileges.
Step 3 – Put this line in the CMD panel to execute the command.
slmgr.vbs /ato
This particular command is used to reactivate Windows that has been activated before.
Step 4 – This message box will appear with this message.
Product activated successfully.
Check the current status of the Windows activation again.
Fix 5 – Use the ‘Go back’ function
If you are still having this problem with the 24H2 version of Windows, you may consider using the ‘Go back’ function to revert to the previous version of Windows.
Step 1 – In the Settings page, go straight to the “System” tab.
Step 2 – Then, tap the “Recovery” settings.
Step 3 – Use the “Go back” to return the computer before the installation of the update.
This simply reverts to the previous version of the Windows 11, which is the Windows 11 23H2 version. Your computer will be restarted several times during the process.
NOTE – You can’t uninstall the W11 24H2 feature update directly from the Programs & Features tab.