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1 Rookie

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3 Posts

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October 30th, 2024 01:02

A Rare Windows Activation Problem

Inspiron 15 3530

Inspiron 15 3530

Hi, I was tinkering with the 'Change Product Key' Option in Setting: System > Activation. In the 'Enter a product key' dialog box I entered a random key. But, Microsoft Servers gave a rare response to the key. It was a legitimate key. So, in surprise, I activated the device with it. It took a while to install the professional version over the home edition. But, it was after the upgrade I came to know that the key was already in use by someone else and thus the activation process failed but the device upgraded. Now, I get 'Activate Windows' in the right bottom of the screen and can't personalize the device. The device came with a pre-installed and Activated copy of Windows 11 Home. I tried contacting dell support (Chat Code : #30176913 ) through the virtual assistance and I was guided to perform an Operating System Reinstall . However, the reinstall comes with user data loss. So, How can I have an offline backup  of my files, installed applications and other device settings so that the professional edition problem doesn't returns on restoring using the backup ?

10 Elder

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25.7K Posts

October 30th, 2024 01:09

Cleanest way is to buy a legitimate Windows Pro license key.  Install it and you're set.

Otherwise, back up your data files (and verify they're all copied to whatever backup drive you have) and do a clean install of Windows Home.

10 Elder

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25.7K Posts

October 30th, 2024 01:46

The backup to that level is all or nothing and the problem will return when you restore the backup.  That's why you either need to proceed with a license key for the update, or back  up just your data, and reinstall everything else.

1 Rookie

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3 Posts

October 30th, 2024 01:31

@ejn63​ How can I ensure that the created backup has all the installed application and user files so that restoring doesn't bring back the activation problem ?

8 Wizard

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7.1K Posts

October 30th, 2024 04:19

Or, you can simply run Windows activation troubleshooting and Windows will restore the Home Edition license back to your system.

1 Rookie

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3 Posts

October 30th, 2024 05:34

@Chino de Oro​ I tried the troubleshooter but it said 

"We found a Windows 11 Home Single Language for this device running Windows 11 Pro. To activate using digital license, you need to install Windows 11 Home Single Language." And gave two options either close the dialog box or buy the Pro edition from the Microsoft Store.

8 Wizard

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7.1K Posts

October 30th, 2024 08:32

I guess that OS has been updated beyond reversible.  Back to the same solution provided by other poster.

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