Windows 10: Activating Windows 10 after changing hardware - wrong account

I recently changed some hardware in my PC and I went to reactivate my Windows 10.


I ran the troubleshooter and clicked "I changed hardware on this device recently." but the page it brought me to asked me to enter the password for an account I have deleted. When I try to change the password for it, it says this account no longer exists and asks me to enter another email address.


Is there a way for me to log out of this old account in this window?

:)

 

Activating WIndows 10 after hardware change.

Before replacing my hardware on my main computer, I logged into my Microsoft Windows account. Once logged in, I saw that the name of the PC that I was upgrading was in my list of PCs that were activated for Windows 10 Pro. So after reviewing how to reactivate
after a HW changed, I went ahead and upgraded the motherboard, CPU and memory in that PC.

Now, when it is time to reactivate, the PC in question is still listed in the hardware list on my MS account but it will not allow me to activate Windows. I followed the instructions online and ran the troubleshooting tool. It then gave me the following
response:

Unable to activate Windows

We can’t find any devices linked to your Microsoft account that can be used for reactivating the device you’re using right now. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account you linked to the
Windows 10 digital license on this device or try again later.

See other devices linked to your Microsoft account

So why would it not find the license that was for this PC when it had the old hardware installed? My assumption, albeit may wrong, was that the PC was activated because it was in the list. It was also activated as a Windows 10 Pro edition.

Anyone have any suggestions on this type of issue?

 

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?

 

Windows 10 Activation after hardware change

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



We understand the difficulties you are facing with the Windows 10 activation after a motherboard change. Ideally, if you have signed in with the same Microsoft account before
the changes made, then as per digital licensing policy Windows 10 PC gets activated after running the activation troubleshooter.



In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply with the answers to the questions below:

• Did you upgrade the PC to Windows 10 or it came preinstalled with Windows 10?

• 
  Do you have the Product key?
  

Meanwhile, we would suggest you to refer the steps as mentioned in this article:

Activate Windows 10

Get help with Windows activation
errors



We would suggest you to get in touch with our Activation team and they will help you with the issue. Please refer the article

Global Customer Service phone numbers to get the Customer support number as per your country or contact our
Chat support team from the PC. Once you click on Contact support, a virtual agent will chat. Explain the issue and ask for a representative for consulting the issue.



Regards,



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator