Windows is not activated

[jarek10]

I have purchased a new HP255 G9.
Started the OS, activate it and register to my Microsoft account.
Power off. Upgrade the RAM to 16GB and change wifi to Intel AX210.
Then reinstalled the system to Windows 11 23H2 using Microsoft media creator (with complete disk erase).
Now system is not activated and fails to activate.
Already tried to install same version as it was originally (21H2) and revert the hardware upgrade and then reinstall the system again. Also tried to use HP Cloud Recovery, but it shows that this model (6S6F6EA#AKD) is not supported.

What are the options to recover?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The HP specs for the product number you posted indicates that it came from the factory with FreeDOS, not Windows.

HP 255 15.6 inch G9 Notebook PC | HP® Africa

That means there is no Windows product key in the BIOS, and you will have to provide your own Windows product key to activate Windows.

[jarek10]

Hi, 

Thank you for this information. The product has been marked as Windows 11 device on the local supplier shop and I have received it with Windows pre installed.

Now it is clear for me that I need to ask the supplier for license keys then. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome. 

Yes, that's exactly what you need to do, and the shop should have given you the Windows product key they used to install and activate Windows. 

They had no right to retain that key.