[Work-around found] Updated BIOS caused Windows to deactivate / sign in using local account now gone

[UsandThem]

So, I updated my Gigabyte board with a new BIOS to fix the Intel HyperThreading bug. When I logged back in, Windows said it wasn't activated (my version is a full Windows 10 Home retail, not OEM). I clicked on activate now, and it gave me an error code. Furthermore, it gave me the option to log into my Microsoft account to activate it. However, this did not work and I had to call in and get a new installation ID code. After entering it and activating Windows, the old option to switch the login from a Microsoft account to a local account is gone. All I now have is "manage my Microsoft account".

I looked to see if anybody else had this happen, and they have. However, there seems to be no way to fix it (outside of resetting install). Here is a typical post from other users:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...g/76612490-5654-4839-9b4e-9eae50299bb2?auth=1

Does anybody on here have any idea how to switch it back?

//Edit://

I also created a new local admin account, but still no luck in being able to switch my Microsoft account back to a local login. The only thing I can think of (which I really don't want to do) is to transfer all my files over to new admin account, and delete the Microsoft account login. I guess I will give this thread a few days and hopefully someone here knows.....

 

[VirtualLarry]

This is disturbing, MS forcing you to use an MS Account, when you want to use a Local Account.

Could it be due to the licensing issue? Eg, if the licensing is associated with a token in your MS online Account, then it might need access to that when you sign into the PC? (Really, grasping at straws here.)

If MS starts to REQUIRE MS online Accounts, that's when I move to Linux entirely. I don't do "the cloud". Not unless it's "my cloud" (I control it, completely).

 

[XavierMace]

I don't recall there being a way to convert your MS login to a non-MS login. Just create a new local account. It's the same for AD domain logins.

 

[whm1974]

This is disturbing, MS forcing you to use an MS Account, when you want to use a Local Account.

Could it be due to the licensing issue? Eg, if the licensing is associated with a token in your MS online Account, then it might need access to that when you sign into the PC? (Really, grasping at straws here.)

If MS starts to REQUIRE MS online Accounts, that's when I move to Linux entirely. I don't do "the cloud". Not unless it's "my cloud" (I control it, completely).

Makes me glad I longer use Windows, and tell the truth, I don't miss it all.

 

[VirtualLarry]

From what I understand, Linux Mint 18.2 doesn't support the HDMI audio of Radeon RX 4xx / 5xx cards, nor that of the A8-9xxx APUs. At least, I was led to a web page that had some semi-complex instructions, involving PPAs, GIT, and compiling. (I can handle the compiling OK, I guess, used to do development in DOS and whatnot, but my Linux skills are getting a little-bit rusty.)

 

[whm1974]

From what I understand, Linux Mint 18.2 doesn't support the HDMI audio of Radeon RX 4xx / 5xx cards, nor that of the A8-9xxx APUs. At least, I was led to a web page that had some semi-complex instructions, involving PPAs, GIT, and compiling. (I can handle the compiling OK, I guess, used to do development in DOS and whatnot, but my Linux skills are getting a little-bit rusty.)

I have to check, but I believe that Manjaro Linux does. And You don't have to mess with PPAs.

 

[UsandThem]

I don't recall there being a way to convert your MS login to a non-MS login. Just create a new local account. It's the same for AD domain logins.

I did it before on one of my other computers. I initially installed Windows 10 (different license) using the Microsoft account, and you used to be able to just go to accounts and click "log in with a local account instead". It would simply convert it over. This time, for whatever reason, that option isn't there.

It used to simply give the option of "sign in with a local account instead":

This is disturbing, MS forcing you to use an MS Account, when you want to use a Local Account.

Could it be due to the licensing issue? Eg, if the licensing is associated with a token in your MS online Account, then it might need access to that when you sign into the PC? (Really, grasping at straws here.)

If MS starts to REQUIRE MS online Accounts, that's when I move to Linux entirely. I don't do "the cloud". Not unless it's "my cloud" (I control it, completely).

I'm not sure. In the past I used to buy OEM licenses, but when Windows 10 first launched, I bought several retail versions of Windows 10 Home (retail store) since they were only around $10 more than the OEM license. I did this so if I upgraded my hardware, I could activate it easily without dealing with potential OEM headaches. The funny thing is I have only upgraded my hardware once in over a year (960 EVO). So this microcode update for the Intel HT bug caused some kind of trigger since it deactivated my PC.

I generally enjoy Windows 10, but this issue is coming fresh on the heels of the most recent Microsoft update that disabled my network printer sharing. I didn't know there was an issue until my kids and wife tried printing stuff from their computers, and it suddenly didn't work after being just fine for well for almost two years. It wouldn't allow me to easily share it, so I had to figure out a workaround.

 

[whm1974]

Maybe it is just a bug in the update?

 

[UsandThem]

Maybe it is just a bug in the update?

I can only hope it something like that. The Windows update came through a week ago I think, and my PC was still activated. It only deactivated today after I downloaded and installed the BIOS update.

I'm all for Microsoft fighting piracy, but if going forward something as simple as a BIOS update can cause license deactivation, I probably will move to a different OS.

 

[whm1974]

I can only hope it something like that. The Windows update came through a week ago I think, and my PC was still activated. It only deactivated today after I downloaded and installed the BIOS update.

I'm all for Microsoft fighting piracy, but if going forward something as simple as a BIOS update can cause license deactivation, I probably will move to a different OS.

One thing I like about Linux and FOSS in general, is that activation and licensing keys are not necessary so you don't have worry about that crap.

 

[XavierMace]

I'm all for Microsoft fighting piracy, but if going forward something as simple as a BIOS update can cause license deactivation, I probably will move to a different OS.

That's what I'm stuck on though. I've never seen a BIOS update trigger activation and from a technical perspective, I'm not even sure how it would.

 

[Puffnstuff]

That's what I'm stuck on though. I've never seen a BIOS update trigger activation and from a technical perspective, I'm not even sure how it would.

I've updated my bios multiple times with 10 and never once had an issue with windows activation. Once a pc is activated its always activated on 10 which makes me go hmm?

 

[RLGL]

I've updated my bios multiple times with 10 and never once had an issue with windows activation. Once a pc is activated its always activated on 10 which makes me go hmm?

Echo that. I just looked at setting under accounts. The option for sign in with a local account is there. Looks like a Gigabyte screw up similar to the mess HP has with their "Black screen of death"

 

[UsandThem]

Echo that. I just looked at setting under accounts. The option for sign in with a local account is there. Looks like a Gigabyte screw up similar to the mess HP has with their "Black screen of death"

You might be right. Gigabyte screwed up a lot of BIOS updates this year, and I will likely buy a different manufacturer's board on my next build.

I've updated my bios multiple times with 10 and never once had an issue with windows activation. Once a pc is activated its always activated on 10 which makes me go hmm?

That makes two of us that went "hmm?". I updated my BIOS two times prior to this over 15 months, and added a 960 EVO without any issue. Maybe the microcode update made Windows think it was a different CPU, but since I bought a boxed retail copy of Win 10, it shouldn't have had the deactivation problem.

EDIT

I gave up trying to figure it out. I went ahead and created another admin account, transferred all my files over, and deleted the login associated with the Microsoft account. I now know to never assign my license over to my Microsoft account. What a pain.....

 

[deustroop]

Since Activation centers around the main board, the activation servers likely saw the bios change as a new board and un activated your system. Nice ! MS apparently solves this problem by allowing re activation through the account, which happened when you contacted them.

That in turn would allow you to use the " Troubleshooter," described as this

"Using the Activation troubleshooter after a significant hardware change
After you add your Microsoft account and link it to your digital license, you can use the Activation troubleshooter to help reactivate Windows after a significant hardware change."

So all might not be lost.

I guess Windows remains activated.

 

[UsandThem]

After you add your Microsoft account and link it to your digital license, you can use the Activation troubleshooter to help reactivate Windows after a significant hardware change."

You don't say whether Windows remains activated.

Yeah, I figured Windows saw the update as a new motherboard, and so I clicked "recently changed hardware" after I couldn't activate it. At that point, it asked for me to log into Microsoft account, and I did. At that point it changed my login from local to Microsoft account. However, it still would not activate. I had to call in to their automated activation center, and get a new installation ID. After that, Windows activated but took away my ability to change back to local login. So, I created a new local admin account, transferred my data over to it, and deleted my previous admin account. Thankfully, Windows is still activated after doing that.

 

[deustroop]

So anyone traveling that perilous path to reactivation due to hardware change would normally be locked into the MS account to login their system. What is the advantage for MS to have the users logged on through their servers? If the servers are not available, can that person log in at all ?

 

[UsandThem]

So anyone traveling that perilous path to reactivation due to hardware change would normally be locked into the MS account to login their system. What is the advantage for MS to have the users logged on through their servers? If the servers are not available, can that person log in at all ?

I'm not sure, but I know one thing, this Gigabyte motherboard just received its last BIOS update I'm not going through all of that again.

 

[whm1974]

So anyone traveling that perilous path to reactivation due to hardware change would normally be locked into the MS account to login their system. What is the advantage for MS to have the users logged on through their servers? If the servers are not available, can that person log in at all ?

That is one good reason not use a Microsoft account. I was what would happen if the servers are down or if the user temporary lost his internet for some reason. Seems to be a really stupid way of doing things to me.

 

[deustroop]

I looked up the advantages of logging into a MS account. Its a syncababy !

"The Pros
Settings Sync Across All Devices
You know what it’s like when you buy a new computer – it can take hours, days, or even weeks to get it set up exactly the way you like it. Operating systems are becoming more complex, which means the amount of settings to customize is near-endless, while the personalization of things such as the Start Menu, desktop backgrounds, and networking options cannot be easily bypassed.
Logging into a machine with your Microsoft Account means that all this personalization moves with you and is automatically displayed on your new PC.

The syncing also extends beyond PCs. For example, if you use a Surface tablet, a Windows Phone, or any other Windows-powered device, your customization will move there too."

 

[whm1974]

Overrated. What if I don't want all of my Windows device to have the same settings?

 

[XavierMace]

Overrated. What if I don't want all of my Windows device to have the same settings?

Then don't use it? I love how hard you're working to make this sound like a bigger deal than it is.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Then don't use it? I love how hard you're working to make this sound like a bigger deal than it is.

My understanding is, Microsoft controls this with their "cloud" - the user doesn't have a choice not to sync settings across installs. In fact, this works across re-installs too, on the same HW, even when you don't use an online MS account.

 

[XavierMace]

Your understanding is incorrect.

 

[SViscusi]

So anyone traveling that perilous path to reactivation due to hardware change would normally be locked into the MS account to login their system. What is the advantage for MS to have the users logged on through their servers? If the servers are not available, can that person log in at all ?

Because then they have a greater chance of you using their other services. Email, search, appstore, cloud storage and apps, anything they can sell to you. Plus maybe one day they can convince you that it might be better to charge you $4.99 a month or $49.99 anually for the latest and greatest O/S, you don't even need a new account, just add your credit card to this one.

Microsoft just wants you in their ecosystem. They want you to treat your computer like you treat your phone. Everything tied to one account, disposable hardware, etc. For the vast majority of the population it's quite convienent. I just had to migrate my elderly Aunt to a new computer and it boiled down to a couple programs, some documents, and some settings. Had she not gone from Win 7 to 10 and instead went from 8 to 10 or 10 to a new 10 and had she been using office 365 vs office a retail 2010 all I would have needed to do would have been to install 2 games, a new web browser, and a couple mb's of files.

That's the trade. MS gets a better opportunity to sell you something and you get greater convenience. It's not for me, at least in PC land, or for most here but there is some benefit.