My question relates to a personal ASUS notebook purchased with "Windows 8" (bought it one year ago) and I change it to "Windows 8.1" 2 months ago. There is no hardware change on the computer.

I changed language and time zone 2 days ago (yes I want to have my computer in english even if I'm in France !!). A few hours later, a window opened with the following message: "This product key is used on another PC" (I don't know if there is a link between my changes of language and time zone and the message) . And since I regulary have the activation window that opens. After contact with Microsoft, the answer was "contact your dealer , it is a key volume"

The questions are as follows :

- How many days I have before Windows locks the computer ?

- The only solution seems to be to return the laptop to the manufacturer, and thus to be without notebook for a while, having to back up all files and reinstalling all software at the return of the computer ( the manufacturer reset the config). In such a case, I think the problem is that Microsoft servers identify the license on another PC: is it possible to get a new license number to soluce easily this problem: it's really frustrating to have paid an official license (licence bought with the laptop), and be penalized because someone somewhere uses the same licence number.

Thank you for your answers.

Hi,

You have 30 days to active your windows 8.1.

Also, you can use the following command to see the information.

Press Win+R, and type slmgr.vbs -dlv, then press enter.

Meanwhile, since your activation key is OEM license, I suggest you contact ASUS for further helps.

support.asus.com/

Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Thanks for your understanding.

Regards,

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I will think about what I will do: I always pay for the licences of my operating systems (Windows), and even that I see that with windows 8 Microsoft can deactivate my authenticate licence.

And after this, even if my licence is ok, I have to solve the problem by myself !!! Sending back my notebook, saving my documents, reinstalling software and not having my computer for some weeks: all this is a problem that I would not have had.

The best solution would have been that Microsoft send me another licence: it will cost nothing for them (I think that the licence is deactivated also on the other computer that uses the same key !) and solve easily the problem !!

May be someone from Microsoft could answer me ???

Did you check to see if there is a bios update for the laptop. What make of book? If you can get the key number from the bios you can reactivate the key. There are a few methods to get the key. Try this program SIW (system information for windows)

When you get the key slui.exe 4  to activate. I think vendors should give users the key for easy use to upgrades.

Elevated command slui.exe 4 

• Edited by colakid Saturday, January 11, 2014 11:11 AM

Hi,

Thanks for all your answers.

However it seems that Microsoft doesn't like his customers, even if you pay for your licences. Microsoft is able to deactivate your authenticate licence, but for reactivation you need to find a solution by yourself !!

So, even I don't want to, I will see for others solutions.

Thanks.

• Edited by goupil35000 21 hours 12 minutes ago

Goupil35000

Microsoft doesn't deactivate "authentic" licenses.  They do have licenses "phone home" to ensure they aren't being used elsewhere as the thread starters VOLUME key has found out.