Windows 10: Link Windows License to a Microsoft Account without changing login options

I want to link my digital Windows license to an account, so I can reuse it after replacing a faulty mainboard. But when I try to do that, Windows tells me that I would have to use that account to log in to windows from then on, instead of the existing local one.


I do not want that. My Microsoft Account password is some random string that I don't know, only my Password Manager knows, and I need to log in to Windows to access that, since it is offline. I don't really want to even have a Microsoft account, but after already losing two digital Pro Licenses to the ether after reinstalling Windows on broken machines, I don't want to lose another one if I can help it, even if it is only a Home license.



Is it possible to link the license to an account without automatically changing anything else to the current system? Or save it anyway else when I replace the mainboard?

:)

 

Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License  

This is what i get on step 2

 

Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License  

I'm having the same issue.

But I also have a device named "PC" in the device list now. It's just PC. I guess it appeared after the Anniversary update.

Before the update, I could see my computer on the MSA device list, even though I've been using local account. But now it appears only if I login to W10 using my Microsoft account. If I switch to local account, it disappears. But the "PC" stays there whether I use MSA or local acc.

So what's that "PC"? Any ideas?

It's also not cool that MS forcing people to use MS account to login their PCs. Activated devices were always in the device list even if you use local account before that so called update.

 

Link a Microsoft Account to a Windows 10 license


Hello Steve, and welcome to Ten Forums.

What build of Windows 10 do you currently have installed?

*Arrow https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...mber-find.html

Starting in build 14371, if you see this part highlighted in yellow below in Settings -> Update & security -> Activation from step 7 in the tutorial posted above, then the PC's digital license is linked to your MSA.