Windows 10: I changed my motherboard and I cannot activate Windows 11 Pro

Initially I had an Alienware Aurora R16 computer which arrived with Windows 11 Home preinstalled.I then upgraded to Windows 11 Pro for which I paid CHF 159,95 that's about 180 USD via Microsoft Store.I now changed my motherboard I kept the CPU but my Windows 11 cannot be activated. I am now redirected to Windows Store.Why? Why is Microsoft confusing customers and I cannot even know what have I purchased? It doesn't say OEM or retail. It says I purchased Windows 11/10 Pro.Have I not purchased a retail version of Windows 11 Pro at this price? I could not find the answer and even Microsoft em

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Can't activate windows 10 after changing motherboard

Hello,

I can't activate my windows 10 license after changing my motherboard.

The license I have is a Windows 7 Pro license, that got changed into a Windows 10 license, when the upgrade was free.

Steps I took previous to the motherboard change:

- I linked my Microsoft account with my device, so that my license is registered under my account (it showed up with my mail in the accounts section)

Now, with the new motherboard built in, I can't activate Windows 10 anymore.

I tried the support steps listed by the Microsoft helper (Activation -> Click Troubleshoot), but that did not work.

In the Activitation settings I get the error code: 0xC004F213

Does anybody know a solution for this, as I haven't found one so far.

 

Activate Windows 10 after motherboard change

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I built the PC myself and it is\was a retail Windows 8 Pro license upgraded to 10.

The guide listed that I should be able to transfer the license, and following the steps given when selecting "I recently changed hardware" in the activation process it does not list my previous device to select from.

My Microsoft account is logged in on both my old and new motherboard, and my old motherboard is unable to boot at all to deactivate or retrieve any keys.

If my license is indeed available for transfer, how can I proceed from here?

Thanks.

 

Can I still upgrade to Windows 11 if I change the storage drive, CPU, and motherboard?

My PC does not meet the minimum requirements to upgrade to Windows 11 (Pro). In order to accommodate this upgrade I've bought a new storage drive, CPU, and motherboard. The new drive is much faster than the other drives, so I'd like to use it to store Windows instead of the original drive.

• Is it possible to immediately activate Windows 11 after I install it on the new drive using an installation disk?
  
• In case activation isn't possible because I don't own Windows 11 yet, would it work if I installed Windows 10 first and then upgraded to Windows 11 instead?
  
• Or would it not activate either copy of Windows 10 or 11 because my PC isn't recognized as the original due to the changed parts?
  

I would very much appreciate any help or suggestions.