Windows 10: Lost my windows license after replacing faulty Hardware. I was unable to restore it in any...

4 days ago I had to replace a faulty motherboard, after replacing and upgrading some part I had to reinstall the windows which caused me to lose my licensed windows. Even while installing the windows when it asks you to log into your microsoft account, It didnt let me and kept telling me the credentials were wrong, yes I was connected to the internet, and yes the credentials were right.


When I got past the initial setup I could login with my microsoft account in the settings, after running the troubleshooter and googling all over the place I couldnt find a way to restore my license. I joined the insider program very early on and upgraded from my Windows 7 ultimate copy to Windows 10 pro.

It worked great for years, I upgraded my pc once and it wouldnt let me activate so I contacted live support which fixed it, they manually put in a key while being in control of my pc remotely.


Not only that but also now everytime windows decides its time to check if my windows is activated an event keeps reconnecting me to the internet, causing things to restart and disconnect. I will attach a screenshot of how frequent it is and If you do anything where you need an even remotely stable connection, good luck.


So I either need a way to get my license back which I dont have a product key for or record of purchase or anything like that. I thought microsoft kept records somehow of the activated windows licenses because last time a person was able to find it very easily. Now they are telling me there are no records of my purchase.


https://prnt.sc/otm5u4 Screenshot of how often it decides to check my windows license and reconnects my ethernet.

:)

 

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

 

Restoring Windows 10 Image using Macrium Reflect


In addition to the above. Here's my suggestion in step by step.
I assume you have Macrium Installed in your current HD and already made a backup copy.

1. Connect your new HD via USB port and boot up.
2. Run Macrium, click on Restore tab then select the Backup Image that you made to restore
3. click on "select a different target disk" then select your new HD as destination
   
   
   
4. Proceed to restore then Shutdown and disconnect the old HD and replace with the new HD
5. Boot up with your new HD.

 

Replaced CMOS battery Lost Win 10


In that case you are suggested to follow post #6.