Windows 10: Cannot Activate W10 after hardware change.

Hi all!

So you can understand the whole thing: I bought Win8 years ago, I had a product key, then upgraded it later to Win10.
I had a hard time once back in that time, when I reinstalled it on a new HD, about how my Windows was activated; a person from MS support assured me that it was all ok because it was linked to my MS account which I used to login, that I was not required to enter a product key.


Last week I changed motherboard, microprocessor and memory because all was old. I got a warning message about the activation and followed the steps it make me select the device, but I couldn't activate it. I read all the docs possible, and as it said I had to previously do some steps, I panicked and thought that maybe if I put the old hardware in again, I would be able to retrieve a key -which I don't know how- or get my activation back, but no. So, I put the new hardware in, and now I feel like I'm stuck in the middle.

This is the message I'm receiving now, following the troubleshooter:



At my MS account, I always had one device listed, but during this process now I ended with 2:


I can tell that at first this was listing the 2 motherboard models (according to the new and old) and the computer names. Then all become listed as PC, but later on ended up showing as on the above image; the one on the left displays the correct computer name and mobo model.

I'm not sure how I should proceed now.

I don't know, I saved a screenshot of the old hardware, would any details listed here will help? I could also put the old hardware back in if required.




Thanks in advance,
Lu

:)

 

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

 

Activation problems after hardware changes and reinstallations.

Hi Meli,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I do appreciate your efforts and time.

Was Windows 10 activated before re-installing it?

Along with the suggestions provided by Greg, you can also refer the steps below.



The only hardware changes that can negatively impact activation status once you upgrade to free version are the changes to the:

• CPU
• TPM
• Motherboard replacement

The following changes are examples of hardware changes that will NOT impact the activation status:

• HDD/SSD
• Video card
• Adding extra memory

If you replace the CPU, TPM, or Motherboard you may have to re-activate but this will not require a purchase of Windows 10.

Why can't I activate Windows 10?:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/why-activate-windows-10

Get help with Windows 10 activation errors:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/activation-errors-windows-10

Can I clean re-install Windows 10 after upgrading?

Can I clean re-install Windows 10 after upgrading?

Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.

 

windows not activating after hardware change

Hello,

To activate W10 after hardware change, you need to perform a clean install.

Then connect with your Microsoft account and W10 will be activated.

If the issue still persists,

Select the Start button, select Settings > Update & security > Activation

and then select Troubleshoot.

If it doesn't help, call Microsoft support to activate W10

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/

Please let me know if it helps.