Windows 10: How can I reactivate the Windows 11 license after making major hardware changes ?

Hi everyone, I'm having this issue where since I made myself a new PC all new components and logged in with my previous Microsoft account which had an active Windows license key, the system does not let me reactivate my already bought key in this computer. I've put my phone number up for Microsoft to contact me on the "Get help" window but they never call me and always fix it for 2 days and close the case, then the problem comes back again, I still get the "Activate Windows" message on the corner of the screen. I've tried running the Activation Diagnostics or something like that but it alway

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Can't reactivate windows after a hardware change

Hi,

I didn't specifically follow the steps to prepare my device for a hardware change, I was unaware.

My account does appear to be linked as I see this account that I purchased windows 11 on listed as the administrator.

I have followed the steps for after the hardware change, and with the troubleshooter I get the message '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'.

Again I didn't follow the steps to link the digital license to my account, at least to my knowledge.

 

SOLVED: Reactivating W10 license of an "Upgraded" W7 Retail licensed systems after a major hardware change

Hi folks,

the scenario above has been widely posted here. I also had the problem. I could solve it with help from gregrocker. Let me share my experience with you.

First some basics:

The scope of the old license is taken over by the upgrade process. These three types of licenses are mostly used:

• Retail licenses: the customer buys them at a store and receives the binaries and a license key. The usage rights are licensed to the buyer and entitles him to install and use the product on
  one device. The buyer can transfer the product to another device. During this process, MS sees new hardware and deactivates the license. It can simply be reactivated by entering the license key again.
  
• System Builder (also called OEM) licenses are intentionally sold to people who build PCs an sell them bundled with Windows. The license is coupled to the hardware it is installed first. The license documentation doesn't say anything about broken hardware.
  I have no information how hardware changes can be handled by the system builder. He has one specific license key for each PC he sells and he has to affix a license sticker at each device, too. I believe that the user of such systems cannot simply reactivate
  its license after a hardware change.
  
• "Bundled" PCs (the standard case I presume) carry "system builder" licenses may be in different flavors according to the size of the vendor.

So for System Builder licenses the vendor or "builder" of the box has tools to handle such cases. MS offers system builder tools for installations to buyers of a each system builder license as part of the license contract text.

The problem to handle after an automatic upgrade to W10 is, that also retail licenses don't have a license key that is marked as "portable license". But fortunately Gabe Aul, the Windows VP at Microsoft has publicly committed licenses blocked by hardware
changes can be reactivated by MS Support.

This is what I have done to get an activated Windows 10 after a major hardware change:

• On my "deactivated" machine I opened the "Contact Microsoft Support" app. You need a Microsoft account to sign in to this app.
• I opened the "Chat ..." alternative. After a few seconds a technician answered.
  
• I wrote my complain and was requested to send some details like the deactivation code, my name and the like. The technician was well aware of the problem. I insisted that I was upgraded from a retail W7 license and the Gabe Aul has committed handling hardware
  changes by MS support.
• The technician told me that she was not allowed to handle such a case but she will elevate/escalate my claim to second level support.
• We settled a date and a time span for a call-back of second-level support.
• Precisely at the settled time, an engineer
  from MS called and we started to fix the problem. She ask me to allow her to take over my desktop and after a few checks to present to her my W7 license key.
• She asked for a little time and after 5 minutes she was back and installed me a new license key. The new key was generated by her manager, she told me.

Now I'm activated again and I have a retail license key for W10 in my hands.

I hope this helps a little. Comments are very welcome.

 

Windows 11 Pro will not reactivate after a hardware change.

I recently changed motherboard, processor, and RAM, but kept my old SSDs and GPU. As expected, my license was kicked due to the difference in hardware ID, but it is now refusing to reactivate.

It is a legitimate digital license purchased from the Microsoft Store on my Microsoft account, which I use to sign into Windows on both the old hardware and the new. I have attempted the activation troubleshooter and the "I recently changed hardware" link multiple times. I was given a list of machines I own, selected the correct, one, and received a failure message stating:

"Unable to activate Windows

We can't reactivate Windows on this device. Try again later."

I called Microsoft support and they told me this was a global issue and to try again in 24-48 hours. Well, now it's been four days, and I tried again, and now my old PC name isn't showing up in the list anymore...

I'm getting pretty frustrated. This is a legitimate copy of Windows 11 Pro and I just want it activated again. Is there an activation team I can call?