Windows 10: Windows 11 key wont activate after hardware change

so i just replaced my motherboard with a new one old on was msi new one is from gigabyte i was using windows 11 pro key that i bought and after reinstalling windows i put in the key and it says unable to activate because they key is not valid i clicked troubleshoot and clicked on activating after hardware change it redirects me to microsoft account where i dont see my device that i want to activate on . what can i do

:)

 

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

 

Windows 11 not activating after reinstalling after changing hardware

Hi Alex，

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I'm Hahn and I'm here to help you with your concern.

I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble activating Windows 11 on your new PC.

According to the Microsoft Support website, Windows 11 activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. If you recently made a significant hardware change (such as replacing the motherboard or the drive) or reinstalled Windows, you may need to reactivate Windows 11 on your device.



Here are some steps you can try to fix the activation errors:

If Windows 11 wasn't pre-installed on your device when purchased and you used a product key to upgrade to Windows 11, then you'll need that same product key after the hardware change.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change Product Key, then enter the product key. Enter your product key in Settings

If you installed a retail copy of Windows 11 on your device using a Windows 11 product key and then made hardware changes, follow this same process using your Windows 11 product key.

I hope this helps you activate Windows 11 on your new PC. If you still have any questions or issues, you can get in touch with a human customer support person by following these steps: Contact - Microsoft Support

Your Sincerely

| Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Windows 10 wont "Activate" after hardware upgrade

Hi, fcp4life,

Follow the steps listed in this Support Doc.

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/...

If you made a significant hardware change to your device (such as replacing the motherboard), Windows 10 might no longer be activated and you might see the activation error codes 0x803f7001 or 0xC004C008.

If your Original Hardware Manufacturer (OEM) changed the motherboard for you, your PC should reactivate automatically or you should be provided with a replacement product key. If you see the Activation error “Unable to reach Windows activation servers,” then
follow the steps in this additional help article.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/...