Microsoft is presently investigating an issue that forestalls the activation of Windows 10 and Windows 11, as The Verge reports. The difficulty impacts computer systems on which customers have upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to the newer Windows variations freed from cost. If you’ve subsequently changed important {hardware} parts (such because the motherboard) on these computer systems, Microsoft might now abruptly deactivate its Windows 10 or Windows 11 license.

Some affected customers haven’t even changed {hardware} parts, however solely carried out a BIOS replace for his or her motherboard. Even this appears to disable activation on computer systems which were up to date from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to Windows 10 or 11.

And even if you happen to nonetheless have the unique activation key from Windows 7 or Windows 8, which is after all authorized and legitimate, affected customers can not reactivate their legally up to date Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer systems.

Microsoft assist is now conscious of the issue. The affected customers haven’t accomplished something unlawful; they have been merely collateral injury from Microsoft’s decision in September 2023 that legitimate license keys for Windows 7 or Windows 8 not could be upgraded to Windows 10 or Windows 11. You can solely improve from Windows 10 to Windows 11 freed from cost.

Microsoft is just not but providing a treatment, however a Windows product supervisor instructed The Verge they’re investigating the complaints. The solely possibility presently out there to affected customers is to buy Windows 11, though their computer systems have been working free, legitimate Windows 10 or 11 licenses till now. Ick.

This article was translated from German to English and initially appeared on pcwelt.de.