Windows 10: Lost Free Windows 10 After Hardware Change

Firstly, we got the free windows 10 upgrade from like the past couple of years. And luckily, we got just enough the budget to replace our motherboard.

After installing it though, we lost the activation of the Windows 10.

I don't have my Microsoft account connected to my PC either, so the guide did not work.

Is there any way I can recover the activation?

Thank you.

:)

 

Windows 10 Hardware change

Things went better than i expected.
i saved my important files to usb.
install windows 10 setup on another usb.
clean installed windows 10 (after installing new hardwares), it didnt ask me for the key.
lost internet connection, but all i had to do was download the LAN drivers. (from disc)

But i have a question why does my SSD only have 125gb free out of 236gb??? this was a clean re-installed. i did reinstalled a few programs (firefox,flash,origin etc)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Unable to activate Windows after hardware change

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Usually the error code 0xC004F213 comes when there is a hardware change done on the computer (like Motherboard or Hard drive). The Windows license is associated with the device hardware. If there is any significant hardware changes, such as replacing
motherboard or hard drive, Windows won’t be able to recognize the license.

I suggest you to try the troubleshooting steps from the article
Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change and see if Windows gets activated.

If you are using an OEM computer that came with Windows 7, and the motherboard has not been changed, then you can follow the steps to retrieve the product key that came with your OEM computer. To retrieve the product key follow the steps mentioned
below:

1. Type Command prompt in the search bar, that is on the taskbar.
   
2. Right click on Command prompt icon and select Run as administrator.
   
3. Type the command and press on Enter: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
   
4. You will find the product key.
   

Hope it helps.

Please reply with the status of the issue, we will be glad to help you further.

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator