Backups aren't an issue -- I have a dependable if low-tech system, basically a huge batch file that grabs what I care about at intervals. It's all the reinstalls & customizations that would break me....

Zbook - I really do appreciate your effort, but at this stage, reinstalling (your Step 0 above) would be pure hell. For the cost of the time I would lose, I'd come out ahead just buying a new PC....

Aghgh, never mind, I just tried the LOCAL account's Microsoft password and it worked. Heaven knows why that's referred to as the "Windows password" but I'm definitely done. Thanks again Superfly and...

Yes, I'm able to sign into my MSA with that account's password, but the next screen (attached) asks for my "current Windows password." I assume that means the login password. When I enter that, it...

I don't know how this can be. When I bought the PC it came with Pro. The invoice says Pro. I've never done any sort of upgrade besides the Windows Updates. I never even knew Enterprise existed until...

What should I do with this?

Well, now it looks like I'm totally screwed. I actually *wasn't* using a local account, so I made one, and signed into it and tried the steps -- no change. But now it won't let me back INTO my...

I think I'm actually using a local account, though I'm unclear on the nuances. I bypassed the 'create a Microsoft account' thing during setup, and I when I have to log in I use my personal email. Is...

The file ran and claimed success, but the same error reappeared. Tried with both my key and the OEM key & got identical results, except that with my key the Activation page weirdly took several...

So, are you saying I should still run the batch file (with my key substituted)?

Sorry I guess I'm tired: I don't see how to remove the license there.

BTW I did check that before and it shows only 2 devices -- this PC and my rarely-used laptop -- and neither one says...

Files attached. One of them contained very specific-looking network info that I'm uncomfortable posting to a public space, so I removed that piece of it. Hope that's OK.

Thanks for this. It does only happen when online, I've noticed. Couple questions though:

The generic Pro key I'd been seeing (& sometimes trying) isn't the one in the batch file. It ends in 3V66T....

Ok I'll get my niece to post those later today

- - - Updated - - -

Long day, trip cancelled, am back home, but now the problem has returned!

Exact same symptoms. PC was on and mostly idle...

Sorry, am headed to the airport, back Jan 3. I can get to this then. But...I'm confused why it's needed; did you notice the issue is solved?

I'm fairly certain it happened right after the most recent Windows Update, which apparently ran on Dec 16 (if my novice reading of the Event Viewer log is correct). I wouldn't know what to look for...

Those are in the sticky posts for this topic: see Activation troubleshooting. So for the license checker:

Save the .ps1 file to any folder - right-click and select "Run with Powershell"

And...

Oh wow. I don't want to jinx it by celebrating too soon, but it seems to have worked!

What a bizarre method. I hadn't seen that post, which is strange since it's recent and I'd done exhaustive...

No joy. :( It did give a VBS-like message box, saying it had activated Pro successfully, then back to the same error in Settings. I was careful to cue up the command line so that I could run it...

Until today I did have a restore point from Windows Update, which was from mid-December, though I don't think it was as early as the 14th. I tried restoring to that point this morning and it *failed*...

Attached. Thanks in advance.


Ah thanks, that's a relief. Desktop wallpaper's not a concern.

But… would a server issue be likely to assign the PC a different edition of Windows?

Restarted...

I did. I wasn't optimistic because it's basically what I'd tried several times at first: entering my key (or the default key) in Settings/Activation. And this most recent time it actually seemed to...

Hi Jacee - This didn't help, but it did change the error code (to the one in the link) and slightly change the error message. Is that good?

What would be the disadvantage, if any, of leaving the...

Oh lord, I can't even fathom the task of reinstalling all my programs, settings, etc. What would be your second choice method, if any? And what, if any, are the disadvantages of just leaving it like...

Had this PC 2 years. After the recent Windows Update it says it's not activated. ADT and LicensingDiag outputs are attached. Version 1809, OS Build 17763.864. Details below; some differ from the more...