Reset windows 11 home, cannot activate license

[Yaker2]

After running a windows 11 reset machine says it won't activate.  Microsoft says to contact HP for the key.  Error code 0x80004005.  My Microsoft account affiliated with the PC doesn't show the PC under licenced products.  Help please!

[Raj_05]

Hi @Yaker2,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If you've reset your HP 14 Laptop with Windows 11 Home and are facing activation issues, you can try the following steps to resolve the problem:

Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure that your laptop is connected to the internet. Activation requires an active internet connection.

Use Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in Activation Troubleshooter that can help diagnose and resolve activation problems. Here's how to use it:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
• Click on Troubleshoot under the "Windows" section.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Enter Product Key: If you have a valid Windows 11 Home product key, you can try entering it manually to activate Windows. Here's how:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
• Click on Change product key.
• Enter your valid product key and follow the prompts to activate Windows.

Contact Microsoft Support: If you've tried the above steps and are still unable to activate Windows, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance. They can help you resolve activation issues and verify the status of your license.

Verify License: Make sure the version of Windows 11 Home you installed matches the version your license is valid for. Sometimes, activation issues can occur if you've installed the wrong edition of Windows.

Check for Hardware Changes: If you've recently made significant hardware changes to your laptop, such as replacing the motherboard, this can trigger activation issues. In such cases, you may need to contact Microsoft Support to explain the situation.

Reinstall Windows: If all else fails, you may need to reinstall Windows 11 Home. Ensure you have a valid backup of your important files and data before proceeding with a fresh installation. During the installation, you can enter your product key to activate Windows.

Remember that it's important to have a legitimate Windows 11 Home product key or a valid digital license for your laptop. Attempting to use unauthorized or invalid activation methods is against Microsoft's terms of service and can lead to legal consequences.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4
HP Support