Activate Windows Watermark

Armadillo

Microsoft updated my computer earlier today (Jan 23). After I rebooted and the changes were installed, I noticed a Watermark in the lower right corner of my screen:

Activate Windows
Go to Settings to activate Windows

I've gone to settings. Under System→Activation I see the following

We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital license or product key. If you think you do have a valid license of key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code: 0xC004F012.

So I hit the Troubleshoot button and that got me an error. Among other things I was told that I wasn't connected to the internet. That's false, since I'm typing this question via the Internet.

What do I do now? The computer was purchased April 11, 2024. Micro Center built it and installed MS Windows Pro 11. Up until today's Windows upgrade I haven't seen this problem. I find it difficult to believe that all of this time I was running with an invalid license / product key.

I am running:

Windows 11 Pro
Version 2H42
Installed 1/23/2025 (so this is the version that was installed today on the reboot)
OS Build 26100.2894
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.36.0

PowerSpec_MikeW

@Armadillo

From an elevated command prompt try: slmgr -ato

What's the error message?

Armadillo

Hi @PowerSpec_MikeW

I guess the error message was hidden above. It was the "Activate Windows" watermark on the screen. And another message when I went to System→Activation.

I also submitted this question to the Microsoft Forum and they told me to to to Activation and reenter the Product Code. The person who built my computer had given me the Windows 11 Pro installation disc which included the product code so I entered it and everything now seems to be fine.

I note that I don't understand how an Windows update could obliterate the product code from my computer. Luckily when that happened the OS didn't stop working but this has still been frustrating.

So my problem is solved. I think. Hopefully this won't happen again at the next windows update.