Windows 10: New motherboard can't activate windows 10

I just changed my motherboard and I am unable to activate Windows 10 Pro on it. The license is digitally linked to my Microsoft account. When I run the activation troubleshooter, the pc shows up. I check that this is the device and click activate. It come back with this error message.


Unable to activate Windows

We can’t reactivate Windows on this device. Try again later. I tried several times without success.


I checked my devices online in my Microsoft account and it is showing a device for both the new and old motherboards. Do I just need to remove the old to be able to activate? I would do it it, but I don't want to screw up activating it on the new.


This in not an oem pc.

:)

 

Windows 10 activation with new motherboard


I've tried contacting Microsoft support by both chat (twice) and phone, and none of it was helpful. And so I'm posting the problem here.

I have a laptop that was originally running Windows 7. I upgraded to Windows 10 last month via the free upgrade option, and things were working fine for a while. However, a motherboard issue forced me to replace the motherboard yesterday. This also required me to move the old hard drive and CPU to the new motherboard.

Now, my problem is this: while I do still have Windows 10 installed on my device, it is an evaluation copy; it is not activated as the full product. Some research told me that the free W10 upgrade is linked to the device's hardware, something I didn't know. Since I'm using a different motherboard now, Microsoft apparently doesn't recognize that I DO own a full version of W10 courtesy of the free upgrade.

So now I'm wondering whether there is a way to transfer my W10 license to the new motherboard so it will activate. And before you ask/suggest anything:

• My original sticker on the bottom of my computer with the W7 license key on it fell off a long time ago. So no, I don't have that.
• I tried contacting Dell to get my original product key, and they refused to help me because I'm out of warranty, even though what I'm asking them for is very simple.

Any help is appreciated.

 

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.

 

New Motherboard, Windows 10 activation

Hi Austin,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

Before changing the Motherboard, was Windows 10 activated?

You just need to activate Windows 10. Refer the link below.

Why can't I activate Windows 10?:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/why-activate-windows-10

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.

Get help with Windows 10 activation errors:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/activation-errors-windows-10

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.