Why Is Windows 11 Asking Me to Activate

[Baldrick]

I've been experimenting with an old non-TPM PC. I've installed Windows 11 several times using Rufus and never needed to activate, nor was I ever prompted.
Now, I'm building a cheap PC with a Ryzen 5600G and a cheap Asrock MB. Now, when I install Windows 11, it keeps letting me know it's not activated and I can't customize anything.

Does anyone know why the difference?

Thanks!

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Where did the installation of Windows 11 come from?

 

[dwd999]

I've been experimenting with an old non-TPM PC. I've installed Windows 11 several times using Rufus and never needed to activate, nor was I ever prompted.
Now, I'm building a cheap PC with a Ryzen 5600G and a cheap Asrock MB. Now, when I install Windows 11, it keeps letting me know it's not activated and I can't customize anything.

Does anyone know why the difference?

Thanks!

Activation status is based on an identifying number built into each motherboard. It is possible that your old motherboard was at one point in the past added to microsoft's database of activated computers. A new motherboard requires a new activation.

 

[Richj444]

I've been experimenting with an old non-TPM PC. I've installed Windows 11 several times using Rufus and never needed to activate, nor was I ever prompted.
Now, I'm building a cheap PC with a Ryzen 5600G and a cheap Asrock MB. Now, when I install Windows 11, it keeps letting me know it's not activated and I can't customize anything.

Does anyone know why the difference?

Thanks!

Is that the same copy of Windows you're trying to install on 2 different systems?