Windows 10: Made the silliest mistake - linked my Windows 10 digital license to a brand new MSA and...

So I've had a digital Windows 10 license for a few years but never linked to Microsoft Account. I've bought a new motherboard and wanted to transfer the license, so from within Windows Settings I've created new `@outlook.com` account and added it to the system, which linked my digital license with this brand new account. Here's where I've messed up - I used password generator to create a password for this new account. And I didn't save it. Somehow my brain entirely skipped that. Well, what a fool the brain is! Turns out now I'm locked out of that account as I haven't set up any recovery email or phone number. The Microsoft recovery form also is of no use because I haven't really used that account, so there's no activity to provide in the form.

So now I have my Windows 10 license linked to an account that I cannot access. Please tell me there's a way to unlink it without accessing the account? I still have the product key, can I somehow use that to recover access to that account? Is there anything at all I can do which is not "buy a new license"? *cries in the corner\*

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:)

 

Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License


Hey, I have a question.
Do you think the digital license is saved on my MSA after i changed back to my local account?

What I mean by that:
I Added MSA to my Windows 10 and it said in Activation tab "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account", and my PC was in device list of my MSA.
But I don't like the fact that I have to type in password every time I boot up. It's my private PC, I don't need password, I never had. So I switched back to my Local account. But now it's back to "Windows is activated with a digital license" only, and the PC is also gone from the device list on my MSA account.
Do you think it actually unlinked the license, or maybe because I logged in once, it saved anyway, and I will be good with activating in the future on a changed machine?

 

How does windows 10 digital license linked to MSA work?

I have an old laptop with windows 10 activated and linked with my MSA via a digital license.

Now I want to build a new desktop and give my laptop to my son.

The questions are:

1. Could I install a windows 10 on my new desktop using iso file, then activate it using my current MSA?

2. If yes, would the windows 10 on my laptop be deactivated? Or I can use the both devices at the same time?

3. If no, I have to buy a new windows 10 for my desktop, but can I link my current MSA to this desktop?

4. In that case, the data between the laptop & desktop will be synced. I don't want so. Can I create a new MSA for my son, link this MSA to the laptop and keep the windows 10 activated?

Thanks in advance.

 

How does windows 10 digital license linked to MSA work?

With Digital License, there is no need to know your product key or purchase another product key if you lose it. Anytime you need to reinstall Windows 10 on the same computer, just proceed to do so using any of the available options. Windows 10 will automatically
reactivate without asking questions.

Setup Digital License

If you recently upgraded to Windows 10 before the free upgrade offer expired, a digital license should be attached to your device. Microsoft is making the digital license a bit unique by linking activation not only to your hardware but also your Microsoft Account.
This will not only make activation easier but troubleshooting common scenarios involving hardware modifications and upgrades.

To begin, click Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation.

There are some interesting changes users will see. The first one is the obvious change from Windows is activated with a digital entitlement to Windows is activated with a digital license. At the bottom is a new option called Add a Microsoft Account.

Click Add an account to start linking your account; you will be prompted to sign in using your Microsoft Account and password.

After signing in, Windows 10 activation status will now display Windows is activated with a digital licensed linked to your Microsoft account. A mouthful I know, but this is how Microsoft will reduce the need always to know that 25 alphanumeric product key
users are accustomed to losing or misplacing.

Learn more:
https://www.groovypost.com/how-to-use-digital-l...

1. Could I install a windows 10 on my new desktop using iso file, then activate it using my current MSA?

>> Yes, you can. After installing on the new computer, click Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation > Troubleshoot.

Sign in with your Microsoft Account previously used to sign in on the other machine.

You should see your previously activated machine listed. click it then click Next to activated.

2. If yes, would the windows 10 on my laptop be deactivated? Or I can use the both devices at the same time?

>> The other machine should no longer be in use, since this will cause a conflict and prevent activation.

3. If no, I have to buy a new windows 10 for my desktop, but can I link my current MSA to this desktop?

>> You would need to purchase a new license, but you can link it with your existing Microsoft Account. You can have up to 10 registered Windows 10 devices under the same MSA.

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/manage-registe...

4. In that case, the data between the laptop & desktop will be synced. I don't want so. Can I create a new MSA for my son, link this MSA to the laptop and keep the windows 10 activated?

>> No, doing that will not activate Windows 10, Windows 10 requires own unique product key/Digital License on each machine.

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised
on the site before you decide to download and install it.