Windows 10: SOLVED Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after motherboard change

I had to replace the motherboard on my gaming PC and after restarting Windows I had to reactivate. None of the methods within Windows worked and when I tried phone activation SLUI 04, nothing happened. I then found my local support number, called it and after multiple number presses, I was told that help was not available telephonically and I had to get help online. When I went to the support URL they gave, it sent me to the same support pages as before, which don't work. So I have now been going round in circles for more than an hour. Information: I upgraded this PC from Windows 8.1, under

:)

 

Motherboard change unable to reactivate Windows 10 Pro -

Out of curiosity, what does it say under Activation in Settings?

 

Unable to reactivate Windows after changing Motherboard

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that after changing the Motherboard you are unable to activate Windows. I’ll help you with the issue.



However, please let us know:

• What is the error message you receive when you try to activate Windows?
  
• Did Windows 10 come preinstalled on your computer?
  
• Were you using a Microsoft account to login to the computer?
  

Ideally, if Windows 10 comes preinstalled on the computer, the Product key is embedded in the Motherboard. In case Windows is reinstalled on the computer, it should get activated automatically. However, if any hardware changes (such as Motherboard
or hard drive) is done on the computer, Windows will not be able to identify the license.



You may want to refer the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.



If you are receiving an error code, you may want to check the troubleshooting steps as per the error code mentioned in the article

Get help with Windows activation errors.



If you still face issues, do not worry, you can 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.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after motherboard change.

I purchased Windows 8 and upgraded for free to Windows 10 when I still had my old motherboard. Now it doesn't let me reactivate it.

I followed these steps:

• Select the Start button, select Settings > Update & security > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot. You must be signed in as an administrator.
• The troubleshooter will show a message that Windows can’t be activated on your device. Select I changed hardware on this device recently, and then select Next.

After that I just get this message:

Unable to activate Windows

We can’t find any devices linked to your Microsoft account that can be used for reactivating the device you’re using right now. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account you linked to the Windows 10 digital license
on this device or try again later.

But I am signed in with my only microsoft account and when I sign in to https://www.microsoft.com and look at my account I can see my PC's name together with my old motherboard name as a device.

Do I have to buy a new Windows 10 now or what am I supposed to do?