Help! "Activate Windows" Watermark after Update, Lost My Key, CMD Commands Not Working

PerthMan96 on 31/07/2025 - 17:51

Help! "Activate Windows" Watermark After Update, Lost My Key, CMD Commands Not Working

Hi everyone, I’m having a frustrating issue with my Windows PC and could really use your help.

I got my first PC about 18 months ago (Windows 10 i think, pre-installed, purchased in Australia). When I first set it up, it took me ages to find the Windows product key, and I think I discarded it afterward, not realizing I might need it again.

A few months ago, after a Windows update, I started seeing the "Activate Windows" watermark in the bottom-right corner of my screen. From what I’ve read online, it seems like a faulty update caused this for many users, requiring them to re-activate Windows. The problem is, I no longer have my product key, and I’m stuck.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:CMD Commands that show error messages about not having permission or not showing me the key code- they haven’t removed the watermark or fixed the activation issue.
Key Finder Tools: I tried a couple of free product key finder programs, but they couldn’t retrieve my key.
Contacting the Vendor: I reached out to the Australian company I bought the PC from, but they said they can’t help since I lost the key.
Checking Settings: In Settings > Update & Security > Activation, it says Windows isn’t activated, but the troubleshooter doesn’t resolve the issue.

I’m frustrated because this seems to be caused by a Windows update, not anything I did, and buying a new Windows license is expensive. As far as I know, I can still use the PC, but I’m locked out of some personalization settings (e.g., changing sound options), and the watermark is annoying. My questions: Are there any troubleshooting steps I can try to remove the watermark or restore activation without a product key?
Is there a way to get a free replacement key from Microsoft since their update caused this issue? Or should I push back with the vendor (even though its been 2 years almost)?
Are there any safe, legal workarounds to at least hide the watermark without buying a new license?

Any advice or solutions would be greatly appreciated! I’m in Australia. Let me know if you need more details

Thanks in advance!

Computing Microsoft Operating System

Comments

  • Protractor on 31/07/2025 - 18:01
    -1

    Did you buy it new or 2nd hand?
    Sometimes the sticker with the number is on the unit. Sometimes in the receipts etc.Who was the vendor?
    I'd be turning the updates off until you fix it. Also when you fix it change the update settings to ask you first, then research the update and see if there are issues with it. Unless it's an urgent security update ,it can wait.

    • PerthMan96 on 31/07/2025 - 19:07

      Hi, thanks for the reply- It was a new PC Build from a shop online called PCGEAR something. Ive seen many on reddit and forums with the same issue, but the issue being resolved in re-entering the key. which i dont have, the sticker that was at the back of the PC was removed by me to read it initially and them i think i binned it.

      • Shoocat on 31/07/2025 - 20:18
        +2

        Do you mean PC Case Gear? Have you contacted them to see if they can help?

      • Protractor on 31/07/2025 - 20:22
        -4

        Bugger. Been a while since I had to bother with stuff like that.Maybe back in W7 era, and I think the license numbers was embedded?
        Honestly, they should be able to give you the number because it would have been allocated to your PC purchase, in some way, shape or form. Looks like they need to show a bit of work ethic. keep pushing, is my advice.

        • ATTS on 05/08/2025 - 13:53

          I thought they stopped the serial number thing and they tie it to your motherboard somehow?

          • Protractor on 05/08/2025 - 14:14

            @ATTS: Pretty much what I said.. But it's been a long time since I had to bother. I think it has been hooked to the MB for yonks,though.

            • ATTS on 05/08/2025 - 14:38

              @Protractor: Thanks i thought it started with windows 10

              Anyways does this work to get the key

              wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

        • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 05/08/2025 - 18:27

          and I think the license numbers was embedded?

          yeah if you buy a PC with windows license included, pretty sure it's embedded. and should be difficult to erase/overwrite unless you used some kind of special tool that does that.

          reason is for a family member I just did the OA3 command on all the PC/laptops they had, took a photo of every one, they were all different and most were expired but one worked.

          I think depends on the the type of windows, but after 8 to 10 years and they expire. google says they last a lifetime if it's on the device it came with, but pretty sure that doesn't apply if you use the key on a different PC.

          also worth mentioning when I looked it up, some types of windows can be installed on like 3+ devices with one key, but sometimes the one included with a PC when you buy it (OEM I think) it limits the use of the key on one device at a time. so if you are still using that old laptop, then use the key on your new PC, the old laptop will ask you to activate.

          but most of the time I don't think it's a problem because all those old devices are slow and haven't been used for a long time. which was the case with family member, they didn't use all the other PC's they just wanted the windows on the new PC to work and update to Win11.

      • Kelvin on 05/08/2025 - 21:52

        Next time take a photo of it.. don't rip it off.. to read it..
        There's a reason, why they are really really hard to peel off..

  • apsilon on 31/07/2025 - 18:17
    +3

    A previously activated installation shouldn't require a key, it all happens automatically assuming you have the PC connected online and haven't made significant hardware changes. You can try contacting MS support if it actually is a bug but my guess is the vendor used a dodgy key that's since been cancelled.

    • PerthMan96 on 31/07/2025 - 19:09

      the only issue is that many online on other forums expressed the same issue around the same time as me in late 2024. so its more likely an Update issue from MS then my own issue with a key and vendor? i think

  • CodeXD on 31/07/2025 - 18:19
    +13

    https://massgrave.dev/

    • Mechz on 31/07/2025 - 19:03
      +3

      Follow this link to fix everything. Don't sweat it.

    • PerthMan96 on 31/07/2025 - 19:08

      can someone report if this is legitimate or scam- i dont really want to click on a random link

      • Mechz on 31/07/2025 - 19:51
        +2

        It's legit.

      • apsilon on 31/07/2025 - 20:31
        +1

        Not sure why you're being down voted for doing the smart thing and asking about something you have no knowledge on rather than just blindly accepting and clicking links.

        Anyway, in this case it's legit, or at least legit in that'll help, not sure it's technically legal but who cares at this point. Win10 is basically an obsolete product and MS could've shut down this tool years ago if they'd wanted to.

        • Protractor on 31/07/2025 - 20:38

          Agree. If the OP's story is legit then MS can GGF, is my take.And good luck to him getting a fix for the redundant (not their fault) software he owns on his own PC. But frankly the vendor should be more helpful even 2 years out. They have the records in their system. No big deal to them, with the knowledge they would have.

          • PerthMan96 on 09/08/2025 - 06:43

            @Protractor: do you think i should bother them ? and what if i tell them "i lost my code" . wouldnt they have a right to say if i lose my code i lose my warranty?

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 31/07/2025 - 19:47
    +2

    irm https://massgrave.dev/get | iex

  • nosey on 31/07/2025 - 20:47
    +2

    Agree with apsilon. Unless you know for sure that you paid for Windows, theres a good chance it was installed with a generic key.

    I used the massgrave tool on my pc, no issues in the intervening 18 months or so.

    Dont think it makes my version legit, but removes all the watermark stuff and it feels fully operational/get all the updates.

  • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 31/07/2025 - 20:53
    +1

    OP if you don't feel like doing things the dodgy way.

    I had the exact same problem recently. and found this way to find the Windows key your PC shipped with.

    Here's how to find the product key using the command prompt:

    ⁕Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for "cmd", right-click it, and select "Run as administrator".
    ⁕Enter the command: Type wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey and press Enter.
    ⁕The OEM product key will be displayed. Take a photo or write it down.

    then go to Windows activation area and enter the key and click activate.

    • Protractor on 31/07/2025 - 20:56
      -1

      Got a feeling OP said he tried something like this and for whatever reason,it failed. Maybe I misread it?

      • Protractor on 01/08/2025 - 10:45

        Here’s what I’ve tried so far:CMD Commands that show error messages about not having permission or not showing me the key code- they haven’t removed the watermark or fixed the activation issue.

      • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 01/08/2025 - 16:44

        that's fair yeah but when I had the same issue sudden loss of activation, I found like 3 other cmd solution before the one above and they all didn't work except this one above. also considered OP might have forgotten the "run as administrator" step.

        • Protractor on 01/08/2025 - 17:10

          Yeah, good point.OP info around CMD, pretty vague/

    • trapper on 01/08/2025 - 11:24

      Out of interest I tried this on mine, it just echoed back 'OA3xOriginalProductKey'

      • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 01/08/2025 - 16:46

        my fault for using the code text for the cmd to make it stand out more. but I think it's a zero at the beginning so 0A3xOriginalProductKey.

        other than that if it still shows what you said, maybe you used some tool at one point which over write the original product key for some reason.

        • trapper on 02/08/2025 - 00:33

          Tried again like that. Now I get this response, so idk

          Node - DESKTOP-29S31AL
          ERROR:
          Description = Invalid query

    • PerthMan96 on 09/08/2025 - 06:52

      it just repeats with "OA3xOriginalProductKey"

      • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 09/08/2025 - 19:33

        ok mb.

        I literally did it on like 5 different PC's recently and it worked on every single one.

        if you bought your PC/laptop off the shelf and it came with windows installed, it should have that key stores somewhere it can't be overwritten (unless some expert tool can overwrite it) and always accessible with the method I used.

        • PerthMan96 on 10/08/2025 - 09:58

          as i said, i did what you did, and it didn't give me the code. the 2H24 update has somehow removed it. im glad it worked for you, your PC didnt get fcked up by a windows update.

  • EightImmortals on 01/08/2025 - 07:48

    Have you tried the phone activation process?

    1800 642008

  • ModdySwag on 01/08/2025 - 17:36

    Have you tried the registry method ?

    Windows Registry:

    Open Registry Editor (type regedit in the search bar and press Enter).

    Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform.

    Look for the BackupProductKeyDefault entry.

    • PerthMan96 on 09/08/2025 - 06:48

      hi- this did indeed actually provide me with a full code- however, when entering it into the "Change Key" section on settings - it popped up with this message - " We cant activate windows on this device because you dont have a valid digital license or product key."

      It then says if i think i do have a key, to click on troubleshoot, but then that takes me to the store to buy one..?

  • Craigus59 on 02/08/2025 - 22:00

    I've bought from here on a number of occasions, never any problems

    https://www.gamers-outlet.net/en/software?mc_cid=60b635ec2b&…

  • PerthMan96 on 09/08/2025 - 07:24

    im 99.99% sure it was from the updated Windows 11 to the 24H2 version. Obviously, the answer is to enter the key onto "change key" . But i don't have the key anymore. its like i had the key for the 23H2 version, and its requiring me to re-enter it for the 24H2? so strange. My PC shows nothing on the Find Key Apps or CMD Admin.
    "wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey command only works for OEM license that's embedded on the motherboard. It will not return a key if license is OEM-COA-NSLP, or retail license or volume license (although home users shouldn't be on volume license at all).

    In addition, wmic command is disabled by default in Win11 v24H2."

  • PerthMan96 on 09/08/2025 - 07:25

    PC is from PCCaseGear, but i don't think its their fault when people have had the same issue worldwide from this 24H2 Update. Perhaps an option is to revert the system to 23H2, however i have no idea on the pros and cons

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