BIOS update deactivates windows license?

spartanz1080 · Sep 5, 2022

I learned it might have something to do with secure boot someone said this

“you have secure boot, tpm etc. enabled then you have to be sure your bios update won't reset it (they usually do). Export the keys before doing it”

On the bios update one of the notes was changed secure boot default setting so that might be what messed it up but to be fair I had secure boot enabled before this update because I was on windows 11 but the new changed default setting note for secure boot in the bios release notes might have messed with my keys or something

Who knew

And Imaniien I was trying to fix a possible issue I was having with my pc and this has never happened to me before never even heard of it so it never even crossed my mind I’ve updated bioses for years no issues

x BlueRobot · Sep 6, 2022

Bree said:
There is an alternative explanation, that the bios update has changed or wiped the hardware ID or serial number of the motherboard. Change the motherboard and it will look like a new machine, a significant enough hardware change to cause deactivation.

Possibly that as well, but as you said, either way they're going to have to wait until the bug is patched unfortunately.

jimbo45 · Sep 6, 2022

Just phone for activation if all else fails.

BIOS updates themselves shouldn't cause new activation problems.

In general though take Image backup BEFORE Bios update. Restore will usually keep activation.

Another "Get around" is often to clone to a VM. Dump via macrium / other image software.

Then boot into Physical Windows to Update your Bios.

Reboot the VM (which will keep its activation if the VM is working properly as a physical BIOS update shouldn't effect the "Virtual BIOS".

Tthen restore to real hardware updating any missing drivers with Windows update / and / or re-installing the physical boot loader via bcdboot etc.

I'm not convinced that currently the Ms activation servers work at this sort of "Firmware or Microcode" level yet so activation really shouldn't be an insurmountable problem (unless Pirated Windows of course of which there are zillions of copies going around on those sites people know all about).

Cheers
jimbo

Wynona · Sep 6, 2022

spartanz1080 said:
So today I updated my BIOS and when I booted up windows again my license was deactivated and upon googling I saw this issue on a bunch of places which was weird because this has never happened to me before. So after freaking out a bit I was able to find an option in windows that said “I changed hardware on this device recently” and clicked it and windows reactivated. I’m just wondering if I update my BIOS again in the future can I select this again or am I out of options and have to call the terrible support. Honestly this is stupid a BIOS update should not deactivate your license when did this become a thing?

I've updated my bios numerous times and and have never run into this issue.

TraderGary · Sep 19, 2022

Wynona said:
I've updated my bios numerous times and and have never run into this issue.

Since my first PC in 1981, I too have updated my BIOS many dozens of times and have never had any issues. My current PC BIOS ("My Computer" below) has been updated 3 times since it was new in Feb 2022.

Bree · Sep 20, 2022

TraderGary said:
My current PC BIOS ("My Computer" below) has been updated 3 times since it was new in Feb 2022.

It's a Dell, like mine. No problems here. I even get them delivered as optional updates through Windows Update. Oh look, there's another one....

Edit: All done....

TraderGary · Sep 20, 2022

Bree said:
It's a Dell, like mine. No problems here. I even get them delivered as optional updates through Windows Update. Oh look, there's another one....

View attachment 39636

Edit: All done....

View attachment 39638

Interesting! I don't get my BIOS updates through Windows Update, although I've selected the option to get all available updates with Windows Update.

I get my BIOS updates using the Dell Utility App " Dell Command | Update". My current BIOS for my Dell XPS 9510 is version 1.12.0 dated 8/17/2022. My Dell XPS 9510 was installed brand new on February 23, 2022.

I do a Windows Update every day as soon as I boot up. I immediately follow Windows Update by running "Dell Command | Update". I often do this sequence several times in a day. I like to be up to date.

Bree · Sep 20, 2022

TraderGary said:
Interesting! I don't get my BIOS updates through Windows Update, although I've selected the option to get all available updates with Windows Update.

I get my BIOS updates using the Dell Utility App " Dell Command | Update"....

Maybe WU would offer one if you didn't already have the latest through Dell Commander|Update. My Latitude 5410 has had a clean install, the only Dell utility I've installed is their power manager so I can see the battery health set the charging behaviour without having to go into the bios.

spartanz1080 · Sep 30, 2022

Just a little update well updated my bios again because it had a cpu microcode update. I was scared but did it anyway. when I signed I had to reset my pin up and then it said window’s was not activated but it activated immediately after that. Phew. I think the reason the last bios update deactivated windows was because one of the notes was changed default secure boot setting. I now feel good I can update my bios from now on.

Bree · Oct 1, 2022

spartanz1080 said:
....it said window’s was not activated but it activated immediately after that.

If your Windows was installed using a generic key, then it may be that the bios update looked like enough of a hardware change to trigger a need for Windows to check if this PC has a digital licence. It would say 'not activated' until it could contact the MS activation servers.

If you open a command prompt and type SLMGR /DLV the last 5 characters of your key will be shown as the 'Partial Product Key'. The generic key for Home ends with 8HVX7 and for Pro with 3V66T.

NickJP · Nov 5, 2022

I just ran into this problem after a BIOS update on an MSI Z690 Aorus Pro motherboard - Windows reported that it was no longer activated due to a change in hardware. There were no hardware changes other than the BIOS update.

To fix it, I ran "slmgr /rilc" in an administrator command prompt, rebooted, then went to activation in Settings, clicked on Troubleshoot, and then clicked the link saying something like "I have changed my hardware", and was able to re-activate.

Still, it's a PITA and shouldn't be happening.

Berton · Nov 5, 2022

I got a Vostro 3400 Notebook a year ago and a Vostro 5890 Desktop in April, both with Win10 Pro and free license for Win11 Pro. No problems with the BIOS updates, I just run Dell's SupportAssist that came with them every once in awhile.

teeter · Nov 6, 2022

Should you Update your BIOS??? You decide

Do You Need to Update Your Computer’s BIOS?

Updating your computer’s operating system and software is important. On the other hand, we have previously covered why you shouldn’t generally update your hardware drivers, although gamers will definitely want to update their graphics drivers. But what about BIOS updates?

www.howtogeek.com

Do I Need to Update My BIOS Regularly?

Your system BIOS is software, but updating it regularly may not be appropriate. Updating it to fix a bug, of course, would be.

askleo.com

SM03 · Sep 27, 2023

Got this same issue on my MSI Tomahawk B760 D4 Wi-Fi. I am surprised to see that if this is a MSi mobo only issue then MSI (or MSFT) or both they still haven't fixed this issue even in Q4 23. Earlier, I sued Asus Mobo & never faced such an issue after the BIOS update

Any official or unofficial solution to this?

Megahertz · Sep 27, 2023

What I have seen in almost all MB is that, if you disable LAN on BIOS, as soon as you boot it will ask for activation. Re enable LAN will bring back activation.
As I see that the issues are reported to be on WI-FI MB, are LAN enabled?

BIOS update deactivates windows license?

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