Windows 10: How to activate windows 11 when microsoft account thinks the same pc is two different pcs

So I bought a windows 11 pro key after making a number of hardware changes motherboard, cpu, graphics card, ram and windows allowed me to update to windows 11 last night. This morning it is now saying I need to activate windows 11 but my product key is already in use on "another" device. after signing into my microsoft account I can see it has the same PC name entered twice, one with my previous hardware and windows 10 and the other with my new hardware and windows 11 pro... Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue so i can get windows 11 pro activated?P.S. I cannot seem to successfully

:)

 

How To Activate Windows 11 Signed-into Account (B) Using A Windows 10 Digital License Linked to Account (A) On A Different PC?

I have:

• An old PC that:
  
  • Is running Windows 10 Home.
    
  • Activated using a digital license that is eligible for Windows 11 update.
    
    • Digital license is linked to an old Microsoft account (e-mail #1).
      
  • Does not meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11.
    
• A new PC that:
  
  • Is running Windows 11 Home.
    
  • Is not yet activated.
    
  • Is signed-in using a new Microsoft account (e-mail #2).
    

My main goal is to activate Windows 11 Home on my new PC using my existing digital license while keeping:

1. The new PC signed-in to the new Microsoft account (e-mail #2).
   
2. The old PC signed-in to the old Microsoft account (e-mail #1).
   

Side note: Though I would love to keep the old PC working and still licensed, it is OK if that is not possible.

Initial idea:

1. Unlink digital license on old PC from e-mail #1.
   
2. Link digital license on old PC to e-mail #2.
   
3. Check that the new PC is activated.
   
4. Switch back to e-mail #1 on old PC.
   

Yet, I am unsure about the proper way of handling this process while avoiding any hiccups.

Actual questions:

1. Would my initial idea work?
   
   1. Could you please point me to how to unlink an account from a digital license?
      
   2. Could you please point me to how to link a new account to a digital license?
      
   3. Would the Windows 11 Home activation be automatic and immediate or is there anything I need to do before?
      
2. If not, what are my other options?
   

Thank you in advance!

 

Identifying PC's from Digital Activation in microsoft account

If OP clean installs on new PC, name does change. OP will need to do it by elimination ie eliminate names of all current pcs from list in online MS account, so OP can work out which pc name is one of failed mobo.

If OP uses same hard drive and does not reinstall, this is not an issue.

 

Identifying PC's from Digital Activation in microsoft account

You will not need the product key to transfer a license. You have done it correctly by using a Microsoft account to register your digital licenses. it makes the transfer easy.

When you have replaced the motherboard and boot the PC in its deactivated state, check the computer name. It has remained unchanged, being the same it was before motherboard was replaced. When you know the PC name, select I recently changed hardware on this device:





Sign in with your MS account. You will get a list of your registered devices. Select the same PC from the list, click Activate and continue following on-screen instructions:





Tutorial: Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

In my case, I have never had any issues to do this. Only information you will need is the name of the PC to transfer its license to new hardware setup.