Windows 10: Re-activating Windows 10 after hardware change - what is the correct solution?

So I recently replaced my motherboard on my 7 year old PC, and apparently I didn't link my Windows 10 properly meaning I have to re-activate. Given the age of the PC, it started with windows 7 that was pre-installed on the pre-built PC I bought later getting Windows 10 with the free upgrade. I have tried to search for the product key but have yet to find anything - I read that it's sometimes on the side of the PSU but unfortunately that got replaced fairly early on after buying the PC no idea where it is now, and I can't see it anywhere else inside the PC case.


I have tried to use the various troubleshoot procedures within windows but none of these worked, so I then went to Microsoft support. This resulted in quite a few calls that led me nowhere.


1st Call

They said I can get re-activated if I provided the invoice/proof of purchase of the PC that showed it included windows 7 - I was going to somehow upload the documents to them? I didn't have the documents required at the time, so I was to call back to sort out later - they gave me a case number.


2nd Call - After finding the required documents

Explained my situation & provided case number, but he instead asked which version of Windows 10 I was running. I apparently didn't have the latest version, so he said if I updated I would be able to use the activation troubleshooter and fix my situation. Needless to say this did not fix it.


3rd CallExplained my situation again & provided case number. They seemed to follow with what the 1st call said, and said they would put me through to the technical team or something. After a few minutes of waiting the same person picked up and said they are not working at these hours and to call back another time.


4th Call

Called up, explained situation & gave case number from before. They said they would put me on hold for 3-4mins to speak with their technical team. I instead waited for about 40mins, to then be answered again by someone completely different? This person seemed to have no clue about the previous person, so I once again explained my situation & gave case number, "I need to speak with my technical team" I was then told, being put on hold again. about 15mins later the call just ended on me.


5th Call

Called and did the same as before - asked what on earth was going on with the previous call, and was told "I will do the best I can to help you". This time I was told instead I need to get the window 7 product key from the original retailer.


I am in the process of contacting the original supplier hoping for the best, but to save time thought I'd post on here aswell. What is actually the correct solution? Why does Microsoft keep telling me different things?


Thanks for any help and sorry for the long-winded semi-rant post. This has just been very frustrating.

:)

 

windows activation—hardware changed siginficantly

From time to time on my thoroughbred PC, I get a Windows activation message that says my hardware changed siginificantly and I have to re-activate Windows. My hardware hasn't changed any more than a network card (went from a wireless g card to onboard lan to a wired network card), and the install is legit. Why is it doing this, and how can I stop it?

 

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?:

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