Windows 10: Changed hardware recently but windows can't find the activation key

Hello,


I recently changed hardware CPU and motherboard and plugged in my old hard drive which contains a genuine version of windows. In fact, I have the Windows 10 installation cd with me. However, my computer now says that I need to activate this Windows 10 Pro. I don't see a product key on the cd that I have... how do I get the product key from my cd? I bought a while ago and I can't find the box anymore. I'm pretty sure that the key was specifically attached to my old CPU/motherboard which is why windows is telling me that it can't find anything right now.


Thanks in advance,


J

:)

 

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

 

Recent Hardware Change

I recently changed some of the hardware in my PC and now my product key isn't active anymore. I have tried the steps that microsoft offers to fix the issue but my PC cannot identify my product key prior to the hardware change. I cannot call microsoft because
I am living in Japan, and microsoft japan doesn't have an english option. Is there a way to talk to microsoft directly other than the automated chat or the toll line which i cannot call from japan?

 

Problem re-activating windows after hardware change

I recently changed my PC motherboard & cpu and i need to re-activate windows. Going through the steps in windows and using the troubleshooter > "I recently changed my hardware" > selecting my PC from list of devices, it never works. Error code 0xC004C003.
I bought a windows 10 OEM key and have seen generally you just need to call support to re-activate but none of the phone numbers they give me work (UK). Any advice or people I can contact is appreciated.

Thanks