Windows 10: activating my Windows License after replacing my broken motherboard

I am experiencing issues activating my Windows after recently changing my motherboard. When I attempt to reactivate it using the "I recently changed hardware" option, I can still see my previous PC listed. However, the activation process still fails.I have already reached out to support regarding this issue, and while tickets have been opened, no one has contacted me, and the tickets keep getting closed without resolution.I have attached pictures relevant to my issue for your reference. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or alternative solutions you can provide.Thank you.

:)

 

Activate the OEM Sticker license after replacing the Motherboard

An OEM License is tied to the 1st computer and its components (Motherboard) it is installed on

Any reinstall must be with the same Motherboard

That is why they are cheap to buy.

If you replace the Motherboard that is no longer the same Motherboard that OEM license was originally installed on and is therefore illegal..

 

Troubleshoot activation errors in Windows 10 after a motherboard replacement or entering a Volume License key

Technical Level : Basic

Summary

We have a troubleshooter that can help with certain activation errors you might get:

1. If your PC’s manufacturer replaced your motherboard under warranty
   
   • Activation Error 0x803F7001
     
2. If you entered a Volume License product key
   
   Note For these errors, you will need a valid (non-Volume License) product key for Windows 8, 8.1, or 10 to finish the activation.
   
   • 0x8007007B
     
   • 0xC004E016
     
   • 0x8007232B
     
   • 0xC004F074
     
   • 0xC004F038
     

Before trying the troubleshooter, make sure you are on the most current version of Windows 10. From Start, select
Settings, then choose System, and then press
About. You should see Version 1511 listed. If you don’t see it, then click
Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update and click
Check for updates.

Once you know you’re on version 1511, download and run the troubleshooter:
http://aka.ms/diag_cssemerg79558

If you had one of the Volume License key errors, you will be asked for a new key after the troubleshooter runs.

If you have trouble running the troubleshooter, please reply below.
If you have another Activation issue, please post in the Download, Install and Activation folder of the Windows 10 support forum.

Redirecting

Details

Activation errors after motherboard replacement

Starting with Windows 8 and continuing with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, most PC manufactures are injecting their Windows product key into the motherboard of the PC.
This allows the PC to activate automatically when you first boot up the PC and to re-activate if the PC is ever reset or needs a clean install.
The product key in the motherboard is edition-specific and will only activate that edition of Windows (Home, Pro, etc.).

When the motherboard is replaced under warranty, Windows will detect a hardware change and look for the new product key that was included in the replaced motherboard.
Sometimes the new product key is not retrieved by Windows, and you get
Activation Error 0x803F7001. The troubleshooter will ask Windows to re- try retrieving the product key from the new motherboard and activated it.

Correcting the mistake of entering a Global Volume License key

The troubleshooter also corrects a second, less common issue.
If you searched the web, you might have found and entered a Global Volume License (GVL) Key.
GVL Keys only work for PCs in an Enterprise environment where the administrator has setup this system of licensing.
If you mistakenly entered a GVL Key, you PC will no longer accept regular product keys, and will give the activation error 0x8007007B (or even 0xC004E016, 0x8007232B, 0xC004F074, 0xC004F038).
This troubleshooter will identify the GVL Key and replace it with a regular retail default key.
Your PC will not activate yet, but now will accept normal retail and OEM product keys.

 

Windows 10 Pro Activation after motherboard replacement

Hi Greg,

Thanks for all the information.

But in one of the iterations of attempting to activate the license (while my account showed the $99 Windows 10 Pro Upgrade) I did login with the email account as you suggested (was the last tech I talked to after talking to the activation tech suggested). It still did not work and produced the exact same error messages as attempting it under my local account with my MS account being open (and also used for my Office 365 license). After it failed that was when he said the "$99 upgrade was single-use-for-a-single-motherboard only upgrade and could never be used again on a new motherboard". So I asked do you mean that when HP replaced the motherboard because the original had failed, I LOST that license forever, and he said yes, you need to purchase a new license.

I couldn't believe that was absolutely true, but then after trying all the additional suggested steps and it still failed, I was starting to believe it was true. Finally last night I clicked on the Store link and clicked Buy on the $199 Windows Pro Upgrade (only option that came up) and then after selecting PayPal for payment and clicked on the button to complete the payment - 1 second later IT WAS ACTIVATED...

So, as I mentioned, I have now paid $330 for a Windows 10 Pro license ON THE SAME PC.

If the $99 license is such a piece of ****, Microsoft should not be selling it. And when I bought it on 9/26/21 I don't remember a warning being displayed that stated "This is a single install, single use only upgrade for a single motherboard and will never work to activate Windows 10 Pro on your PC if your motherboard fails and is replaced by the OEM. That will require a new purchase of the Windows 10 Pro license." I knew it was for 1 PC only and was not transferable, but not that it was 100% tied to ONLY 1 MOTHERBOARD.

I am hoping now that I have given Microsoft another $220 for a 2nd Windows Pro License this will not be an issue in the future if the motherboard fails again, which of course, I hope that doesn't happen either. I also told the HP tech I talked to that they need to warn their users about this issue if they have purchased and installed the $99 Pro upgrade.

The odd thing now is, I only see the $199 Pro upgrade, not the $99 Pro upgrade. When I searched for the upgrade on 9/26, the only thing I remember seeing was the $99 upgrade. So I selected that. Had I known it was a waste of money I never would have bought it.

And the other odd thing is my MS account shows this PC twice - I assume the latest entry is for the new motherboard and the earliest entry is for the original motherboard, but not 100% sure. Both descriptions are the same, even the same serial number. One does state the OS is "Windows 10 Professional" while the top entry only shows it as "Windows Professional". BUT there is NO mention of the motherboard... If Microsoft is actually tracking "devices" only by their motherboard then that should be listed also. It should also list the date the device was added and it doesn't.

Anyway, my PC is officially licensed again, at a much higher price than I thought it would cost. So the license activation issue is resolved for me. But my concerns on wasting money on a 2nd purchase of a Windows 10 Pro upgrade are still there. But thanks for the reply.

Ray