Windows 10: Windows doesn't recognize itself as being activated after significant hardware change

Discus and support Windows doesn't recognize itself as being activated after significant hardware change in Windows 10 Updates and Activation to solve the problem; TL;DR - Microsoft recognizes my computer but windows doesn't accept it. Hello. I have made a significant hardware change on my computer and... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Updates and Activation' started by Dave Vuong, Apr 18, 2019.

  1. Windows doesn't recognize itself as being activated after significant hardware change


    TL;DR - Microsoft recognizes my computer but windows doesn't accept it.


    Hello. I have made a significant hardware change on my computer and successfully activated windows with said hardware according to Microsoft. However, my settings say that windows still isn't activate it. Whenever I try to reactivate windows again it says "We can't reactivate this device. Try again later." The only error code I can see is 0xC004f211. I'm unsure if my bios is up to date and would rather avoid it due to my constant fear of myself and my actions.


    Thank you

    -"Dave"

    :)
     
    Dave Vuong, Apr 18, 2019
    #1
  2. Nikhar_K Win User

    Unable to activate Windows after hardware change

    Hi,

    Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

    Usually the error code 0xC004F213 comes when there is a hardware change done on the computer (like Motherboard or Hard drive). The Windows license is associated with the device hardware. If there is any significant hardware changes, such as replacing
    motherboard or hard drive, Windows won’t be able to recognize the license.

    I suggest you to try the troubleshooting steps from the article
    Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change
    and see if Windows gets activated.

    If you are using an OEM computer that came with Windows 7, and the motherboard has not been changed, then you can follow the steps to retrieve the product key that came with your OEM computer. To retrieve the product key follow the steps mentioned
    below:

    1. Type Command prompt in the search bar, that is on the taskbar.
    2. Right click on Command prompt icon and select Run as administrator.
    3. Type the command and press on Enter: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
    4. You will find the product key.

    Hope it helps.

    Please reply with the status of the issue, we will be glad to help you further.

    Nikhar Khare

    Microsoft Community - Moderator
     
    Nikhar_K, Apr 18, 2019
    #2
  3. Smitty3PM Win User
    Windows 10 Activation after hardware change

    • "You upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer, but Windows 10 isn't activated after a reinstall. Your copy of Windows 10 should automatically be activated so long as you didn't make any significant hardware changes to your device (such as replacing
      the hard drive or motherboard)."

    I just recently upgraded my motherboard, graphics card, and processor. Now my Windows 10 isnt activated anymore, and when i go through the steps to troubleshoot, it says the windows activation just says.



    Unable to activate Windows

    We can’t reactivate Windows on this device. Try again later.

    anyone have an answer to this please...
     
    Smitty3PM, Apr 18, 2019
    #3
  4. HAT
    hat Win User

    Windows doesn't recognize itself as being activated after significant hardware change

    windows activation—hardware changed siginficantly

    From time to time on my thoroughbred PC, I get a Windows activation message that says my hardware changed siginificantly and I have to re-activate Windows. My hardware hasn't changed any more than a network card (went from a wireless g card to onboard lan to a wired network card), and the install is legit. Why is it doing this, and how can I stop it?
     
Thema:

Windows doesn't recognize itself as being activated after significant hardware change

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