Windows 10: Changed hardware - lost activation key

Hello,

Hope someone can assist.

My computer suddenly stopped working after running a Windows update.

I had isolated the issue to a fried motherboard.


Got a new motherboard, cpu, memory etc.


Got everything up and running and now I have an issue with needing to activate Windows.

I ran the Activation Troubleshooter and went through the 'I recently changed my hardware' sequence.


The list of hardware shown in the list however is not the hardware I am currently running.


I am at a loss as to how I can reactivate Windows.

I had gotten Windows 10 when it was a free upgrade some years ago.


Thanks all

:)

 

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.

 

Activating windows after losing product key and performing a hardware change.

Long story short, I purchased this computer in its entirety off of someone from Craigslist so naturally, I have no possibility of tracking them down. The PC never came with a manual or, in this case, a product key. Years later (today), I do major hardware
changes, which entail purchasing absolutely every component besides the SSD with Windows 10 installed to it. Now I'm using this brand new PC but I'm stuck with either having to pay for a new version of windows or stick it out with the Activate Windows watermark
forever on my screen.

To sum it up, lost product key with no chance of getting it back, had major hardware change, however I used to sign in with a Microsoft account and the "About Windows (run: winver)" tab lists that the product is listed under my email (which is my Microsoft
account). How can I activate windows using my email as proof that it's a legitimate copy of the OS?