Windows 10: Microsoft 10 activation after a hardware change

I had a PC with a digital license to my Microsoft account, which was given for free Microsoft gives free licenses to students , initially it was Windows 8 and then was upgraded to Windows 10. This PC's CPU stopped working so I bought a new PC and inserted the SSD from the old PC to the new PC. Since then the Windows are not activated with Error code: 0x803FABB8. The solutions provided by windows are not helping.

:)

 

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

 

Activation problems after hardware changes and reinstallations.

Hi Meli,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I do appreciate your efforts and time.

Was Windows 10 activated before re-installing it?

Along with the suggestions provided by Greg, you can also refer the steps below.



The only hardware changes that can negatively impact activation status once you upgrade to free version are the changes to the:

• CPU
• TPM
• Motherboard replacement

The following changes are examples of hardware changes that will NOT impact the activation status:

• HDD/SSD
• Video card
• Adding extra memory

If you replace the CPU, TPM, or Motherboard you may have to re-activate but this will not require a purchase of Windows 10.

Why can't I activate Windows 10?:

Why can't I activate Windows?

Get help with Windows 10 activation errors:

Get help with Windows activation errors

Can I clean re-install Windows 10 after upgrading?

Can I clean re-install Windows 10 after upgrading?

Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.

 

Windows 10 Activation after hardware change

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



We understand the difficulties you are facing with the Windows 10 activation after a motherboard change. Ideally, if you have signed in with the same Microsoft account before
the changes made, then as per digital licensing policy Windows 10 PC gets activated after running the activation troubleshooter.



In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply with the answers to the questions below:

• Did you upgrade the PC to Windows 10 or it came preinstalled with Windows 10?

• 
  Do you have the Product key?
  

Meanwhile, we would suggest you to refer the steps as mentioned in this article:

Activate Windows 10

Get help with Windows activation
errors



We would suggest you to get in touch with our Activation team and they will help you with the issue. Please refer the article

Global Customer Service phone numbers to get the Customer support number as per your country or contact our
Chat support team from the PC. Once you click on Contact support, a virtual agent will chat. Explain the issue and ask for a representative for consulting the issue.



Regards,



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator