Computer Help and Support

TheBlackAdder

(29,021 posts) Mon May 22, 2023, 10:13 PM May 2023

Windows 11 License Authentication After 2023-05 Cumulative Update 22H2 (KB5026372)

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If you get a notification that you need to authenticate your Windows 11 License or Purchase a license, even though the license shipped with your Windows 10 system should have been valid, perform the following steps to remediate it.

If your PC or laptop does not have the card or sticker with the Windows License Key, here is how you obtain it.

1) Open up the Command Prompt (the black DOS one, not the blue Terminal Admin one). Enter cmd on the Search Bar and 'Run as Administrator' should be presented below it. If you want to click on the Command Prompt icon, Right Click on it to see the 'Run as Administrator' option. Either way, you will then need to allow administrator mode.

2) Enter: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

3) Copy the output into a text file and save it. It should contain your 25-character License Key.

4) Right click on the Windows icon on the lower left and select 'System' to enter the key and complete the activation. You will see red text that states activation is required.

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4 replies

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Windows 11 License Authentication After 2023-05 Cumulative Update 22H2 (KB5026372) (Original Post) TheBlackAdder May 2023 OP

Bookmarked! Many thanks jmbar2 May 2023 #1

I tried this command on my Win 11 system. It responded "OA3xOriginalProductKey" -- not useful. Earth-shine May 2023 #2

Some systems return that, and the keyfinder is the next step. TheBlackAdder May 2023 #3

Did you know you can use an unused Win 7 or 8 license to activate Win 11? You can. ItsjustMe May 2023 #4

jmbar2

(6,232 posts)

1. Bookmarked! Many thanks

Reply to TheBlackAdder (Original post)

Mon May 22, 2023, 10:21 PM

May 2023

Earth-shine

(4,044 posts)

2. I tried this command on my Win 11 system. It responded "OA3xOriginalProductKey" -- not useful.

Reply to TheBlackAdder (Original post)

Tue May 23, 2023, 03:15 AM

May 2023

I use this program for such things. It's a free download.

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Did you know you can use an unused Win 7 or 8 license to activate Win 11? You can.

TheBlackAdder

(29,021 posts)

3. Some systems return that, and the keyfinder is the next step.

Reply to Earth-shine (Reply #2)

Tue May 23, 2023, 12:54 PM

May 2023

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I did not experience that issue so I did not write about it. Whether that was still a thing.

Thanks for the follow-up.

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ItsjustMe

(11,803 posts)

4. Did you know you can use an unused Win 7 or 8 license to activate Win 11? You can.

Reply to Earth-shine (Reply #2)

Wed May 24, 2023, 01:20 PM

May 2023

I use a windows 7 pro key from an old Sony laptop that died years ago on my new HP laptop with Windows 11.

I use this method to automatically add the key during setup.
https://www.tenforums.com/installation-upgrade/73339-automatically-add-product-key.html#post899558

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