Cannot Activate Windows 11 Digital License

Jeff Magill 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T19:43:54.4066667+00:00

I purchased a Windows 11 digital license directly from Microsoft. I was using it in a VM on Linux Mint. I want to move that to a new VM, but am unable to, as the license doesn't show in my account and Windows fails to activate no matter what I try.

There is zero support online other than a bunch of canned answers, none of which work. And every support link takes you back to the support home screen, which is an absolute dead end and a waste of time. It seems Windows has been relegated to the list of products Microsoft no longer want to support.

Rant over, but how TF do you activate a Windows digital license that you purchased directly from Microsoft? No activate key was ever provided, no evidence exists the key was ever created other than I have the order number.

If there are any real people that can help, I'd appreciate it.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Igor Leyko 107.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-12-05T20:23:06.52+00:00

    Hi,

    please note, digital license is not a license but an activation method so it cannot be purchased.

    Did you purchase a license in Microsoft Store or at Microsoft site? Purchase in Store is tied to hardware used for purchasing and non-transferrable.,

    You may contact Microsoft support for activation via https://support.microsoft.com/contactus/ page.

    0 comments No comments

  2. Craig Long 16,510 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-12-05T20:36:52.1+00:00

    A digital copy from a Microsoft website:

    The product key is in the confirmation email you received after buying your digital copy of Windows. Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys if you purchased from the Microsoft online store. You can find out if you purchased from Microsoft in your Microsoft account Order history.

    Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-your-windows-product-key-aaa2bf69-7b2b-9f13-f581-a806abf0a886#:%7E:text=If%20you%20bought%20Windows%2010,the%20digital%20license%20for%20activation.:~:text=A%20digital%20copy%20from%20a%20Microsoft%20website

    0 comments No comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.