Windows 10: Activate Windows help. New CPU + Motherboard, can't find key

-Upgraded my CPU and Motherboard, was not aware that changing certain hardware de-activated Windows (10) (i had windows 7, got free upgrade to windows 10 a while ago)



-I read that Windows should be linked to your hardware, so i put in the old motherboard and CPU back in, Windows 10 was still de-activated, could not find code anywhere.


-Got prompted to recover by using microsoft account, but i never created one before the upgrade so it's not linked to my windows.


-Spent $750 upgrading PC to have permanent "activate windows" watermark on my screen.


Help?

:)

 

Windows 10 activation with new motherboard


I've tried contacting Microsoft support by both chat (twice) and phone, and none of it was helpful. And so I'm posting the problem here.

I have a laptop that was originally running Windows 7. I upgraded to Windows 10 last month via the free upgrade option, and things were working fine for a while. However, a motherboard issue forced me to replace the motherboard yesterday. This also required me to move the old hard drive and CPU to the new motherboard.

Now, my problem is this: while I do still have Windows 10 installed on my device, it is an evaluation copy; it is not activated as the full product. Some research told me that the free W10 upgrade is linked to the device's hardware, something I didn't know. Since I'm using a different motherboard now, Microsoft apparently doesn't recognize that I DO own a full version of W10 courtesy of the free upgrade.

So now I'm wondering whether there is a way to transfer my W10 license to the new motherboard so it will activate. And before you ask/suggest anything:

• My original sticker on the bottom of my computer with the W7 license key on it fell off a long time ago. So no, I don't have that.
• I tried contacting Dell to get my original product key, and they refused to help me because I'm out of warranty, even though what I'm asking them for is very simple.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Windows 10: Fitting a new motherboard and CPU

Hi,

Yes, you may change your Motherboard and CPU without a problem. To resolve your issue in case you encounter a problem, we suggest that you follow the steps in this

article which you can expand Activating Windows 10 after a hardware configuration change
and you can use an Activation troubleshooter if you get activation errors. The given link is previously provided by
'Mike P.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

New cpu+motherboard, Windows 10 Pro no longer activated.

I upgraded my cpu and motherboard today and my windows 10 Pro is no longer activated, I had no idea switching motherboards/cpus deactivated my windows 10 upgrade. Is there anything I can do without having to spend a ridiculous 200 dollars for a new windows
10?