If the device was upgraded from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro and activation did not complete, check the installed edition first in Start > Settings > System > Activation. The Windows edition must match the license for activation to succeed.
Try these steps:
- Restart the PC and check activation again in Settings > System > Activation.
- If the device shows Windows 11 Home but the Pro upgrade did not complete, open Settings > System > Activation and use Open Store to complete the upgrade.
- If the device shows Windows 11 Enterprise instead of Pro, disconnect from the internet, then go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key and enter this generic Windows 11 Pro key:
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T - Restart the PC, reconnect to the internet, and make sure the same Microsoft account used for the Store purchase is signed in. Windows should then activate using the digital license.
- If Windows is still not activated, run the Activation troubleshooter from Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot. This option is available only when Windows is not activated, and administrator sign-in is required.
- If the installed edition does not match the purchased license, install the matching edition. For example, a Windows 11 Home digital license activates only Windows 11 Home, and a valid product key is required for first-time activation of Windows 11 Pro on a device that never had Pro activated before.
Windows activation also requires an internet connection.
References:
- Activate Windows
- Which edition of Windows comes with your Surface device?
- Using the Windows Activation troubleshooter
- Upgrading Win 11 Home to Pro broke activation - Microsoft Q&A
- Both activation and upgrade broken after purchasing upgrade from Win 11 Home Single Language to Windows 11 Pro - Microsoft Q&A
- Windows Activation when upgrading from Home to Pro - Microsoft Q&A
- My Windows Pro upgrade did not activate. I need help. - Microsoft Q&A