Windows 10: Error activating windows key on new motherboard

I recently bought a new motherboard but forgot to deactivate my Windows 10 Home key on my other motherboard. I returned that motherboard to Microcenter My new motherboard was installed up at Microcenter store and the PC technician told me I would have to contact Microsoft because he could not get the key activated. Are there any steps I can take to use the same windows 10 key on a new motherboard even though it hasn’t been deactivated on my old mobo? I will not have the PC in front of me until Friday evening so I cannot readily troubleshoot.At this point I’m asking if there is an easy soluti

:)

 

Windows 8.1 pro + WMC key activation

yeah, just don't forget that MCE gives you a new Windows key.... I had activation errors untill I entered the MCE key....

 

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.

Results in Windows - Microsoft Community

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.

 

Unable to activate windows 10 after changing motherboard

Hi William,

Thanks for replying so fast to my issue.

I followed the steps from the troubleshooter, and I reach the page where it asks me "Select this device from below". The problem is that my new device (a Gigabyte motherboard) doesn't show up on the list, only my previous motherboard (MSI).

When go to Sign in to your Microsoft account my new device is listed, as is my old one, but I don't seem to be able to make the new device pop into the list to transfer the license.

Do I have to select my old MSI motherboard from the list, and then press "activate"?

FYI: My license key is one that was upgraded from windows 8.1. I do have a product/license key of that version, but it is not accepted when I try to change my product key. It finishes in an error code 0xc004f050