Windows 10: I upgraded all of my hardware excluding the hard drive and now I have to reactivate windows.

I upgraded all of my hardware excluding the hard drive and now I have to reactivate windows. It worked in my last computer I don;'t know why it doesn't now.

:)

 

Unable to access the external hard drive after upgrading to Windows 10

Hi Alan,

As you are facing issues with accessing the external hard drive after upgrading to Windows 10, do not worry we will help you with this issue.

Do provide us additional information to assist you better with this issue:

• What is the make and model of your devices?
• What exactly happens when you try to access the drive?
• What is the complete error message/ error code of this issue?
• Were you able to detect the device under Device Manager/ File Explorer?

Step 1: As a workaround, I suggest you to do the following to detect the issue:

• Connect the hard drive to different port and check if the issue persists.
• Connect different hard drive to the same port and check.
• Connect different hard drives to different ports and check.

Step 2: If the device is not detected on your computer try to run
Hardware and Devices troubleshooter as it checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

• Press Windows key from the keyboard, type
  Troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner of
  Troubleshooting window.
• Select the Hardware and Device
  options from the list.
• Click Next to run the Hardware and Device
  Troubleshooter

Step 3: I suggest you to check if there are any drivers with yellow exclamatory mark in the Device Manager.

• Press Windows + X from the keyboard, click on
  Device Manager.
• Right click on the detected driver, click on Properties
  and check the device status.
  

Hope it helps. Try the above and update us the status of this issue with the required information, we will be happy to help you further.

Thank you.

 

Hard drive/ OS issue

a guy suggested :

• shutdown
• unhooked HDD
• restarted
• yay !!
• reconnected HDD
• restarted
• yay !!

also , try method 3
Fix: 'The Drive Where Windows is Installed is Locked'

 

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change - Including hard drive?

Yes.

Activation in Windows 10 uses a hashing system that takes a snapshot of all the hardware in the PC, not just a part or two. That hash is then stored on Microsoft's activation servers.

When you reinstall Windows 10 on your computer, it automatically reactivates even after a hardware change because the hash is a snapshot of all the hardware.

In addition to the hash system, as of the Anniversary Update, you can also link your device's activation with your Microsoft account. Then, when you reinstall Windows 10, all you have to do is log in with your Microsoft account, and your device is activated.

While the hashing method works for small hardware changes (like upgrading your hard drive) linking your activation status to your Microsoft account ensures you'll stay activated if you make a more significant change, like upgrading your motherboard.

See Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change for more information.