Windows 10: I cant activate windows nor does it show my device when i try to reactivate it with the...

I recently changed my PC's hardware to a new motherboard because my old one was faulty. When i finished setting that up I noticed that windows was not activated no more due to the activate windows on the bottom right. I did click troubleshoot and clicked on the "I changed hardware on this device recently" and it said there was only one PC on there from 4 years ago. Windows was activated before so it couldn't've have been tied to a device because the motherboard im using is the same brand MSI b550 tomahawk max WIFI and I replaced it with a newer one.I'm using windows 11 home as its the produc

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windows 10 reactivation after hardware change

I just changed motherboards, and When I follow the the steps listed in the "reactivate windows 10 after hardware change" support page, it gives me the message "unable to activate windows" message after I sign in and identify my device,
with no error code, just a subheader that says "can't activate windows 10 on this device, try again later."

 

Windows 10 activated, but it does not show in devices Linked Account?

Thanks for the reply.

It was upgrade from WIN7 retail.

Windows 10 was automatically activated when logged in with MSA.

Under your MSA in a Web browser, there is DEVICES tab.

You will see all the devices attached to your MSA.

It shows other attached DEVICES with the same MSA.

However, if you want to reactivate after motherboard-change, you should be able to see the list of DEVICES attached when you go through ACTIVATION TROUBLSHOOTING.

My new computer says "The previous windows on the device was NEVER activated." This is wrong.

As mentioned, the old laptop clearer states, "Windows 10 is activated linked to MSA."

I do not see any devices listed with the same MSA on Laptop even though I see them in MSA in a web browser.

Thanks for the help.

 

Activate Windows

The Windows license is tied to the motherboard, so replacing it does require reactivating Windows. Here's a

link to a page with some of Microsoft's explanation of Windows activations. At the bottom, under "hardware configuration change," they recommend using the

Activation Troubleshooter if you're running Windows 10 1607 or later. Click on "You recently made a significant hardware change." Actually, I'll copy it here for you. It offers step-by-step instructions on how to get Windows activated. I'm not sure if the
copying will allow any of the links to work, so if you need to contact support, I suggest using the links I've added above.

Good luck!

You recently made a significant hardware change

If you recently made a significant hardware change to your device, such as replacing the motherboard, Windows might no longer be activated on your device.

If you linked your Microsoft account to your Windows 10 digital license on the device before you make the hardware change, you can reactivate Windows using your sign in info:

• In the troubleshooter, select I changed hardware on this device recently, and then select
  Next.
• Enter your Microsoft account and password, and then select Sign in. You’ll also need to enter the password for your local account if the Microsoft account you entered isn’t a connected account.
• From the list of devices that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the device that you’re currently using, select the check box next to
  This is the device I’m using right now, and then select
  Activate.

If you don’t see the device you’re using in the list of results, make sure that you’re signed in using the same Microsoft account you linked to the Windows 10 digital license on your device.

If you’re signed in using the correct Microsoft account, here are some additional reasons why you can’t reactivate Windows:

• The edition of Windows on your device doesn’t match the edition of Windows you linked to your digital license.
• The type of device you’re activating doesn’t match the type of device you linked to your digital license.
• Windows was never activated on your device.
• You reached the limit on the number of times you can reactivate Windows on your device.
• Your device has more than one administrator, and a different administrator already reactivated Windows.
• Your device is managed by your organization and the option to reactivate Windows isn’t available. For help with reactivation, contact your organization’s support person.

If you need additional help reactivating Windows on your device, contact

customer support.

For more info about how to add your Microsoft account and link it to your Windows 10 digital license, see

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.