Windows 10: Transferring Windows Digital License after significant hardware change

I've significantly upgraded my PC (new motherboard, storage), to the point where Windows 10 doesn't recognise it as the device I had my Windows 10 digital license on. When I go to settings - activation, I get error code 0xc004f213 which states no product key was found on this device (I'm signed into my microsoft account which has the digital license from before). I proceed to trouble shoot, and then click I recently changed hardware on this device. It proceeds to take me to a screen which lists my devices, but it only shows my Laptop which is running a separate product key/digital license (I bought windows 8.1 for my laptop and took the free upgrade, whereas this desktop PC was on windows 7 before I upgraded to 10). My PC isn't showing on this list.


I've been using this guide https://m.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change


So how do I go about re-activating my Windows 10 Digital License on this device? Also, is livechat only open at certain times? because I've been trying to find it but I get directed to this forum and a phone number instead.


If this classes as a new PC due to the motherboard change do I need to buy a new version of Windows? If so, then is the license fixed to my old motherboard?

:)

 

Digital License after transfer license to new computer

Uninstalling a product key does not deactivate the license, there is actually no deactivation method. You would still need to contact support to actually invalidate the license on the old machine, so it can reactivate on the new machine.

Transferring the license is a step by step process.

First, you either remove the license from the machine by formatting it.

Install it on the new machine.

Contact chat support, then reactivate.

Where Digital license is handy is when you are still using the machine and reinstall Windows 10 and need to reactivate the license after a significant hardware change, such as a hard disk.

Learn more:

http://www.groovypost.com/howto/transfer-window...

 

Uninstall (delete, remove) the Windows 10 digital license from old hardware, after reactivating it on new (similar) hardware, after hardware change

Hi,

I recently was able to reactivate my Windows 10 digital license on new (only on similar, same type laptop to laptop) hardware, by linking my Microsoft account. I followed the steps mentoned in

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change .

I find that the old hardware, still has an activated digital license of Windows.

I need to uninstall the digital license from the old hardware, in such a way that it will not activate, on its own, and will not invalidate the digital license on my new hardware, at all.

Please advice me, as I would like to transfer my digital license to my new hardware, completely, and permanently. I require my old hardware to not be having the digital license, at all, and the digital license to be completely deleted from it.

 

Windows Digital License after a change of hardware

Activation depends on what type of license you have of Windows 7/8/10.

If Windows 7/8/10 came preinstalled with the computer, that is called an OEM license. For an OEM license, the license dies as soon as Motherboard dies. So essentially it is non-transferable. If that is the case you need to get a new license.

However, this is not same for retail licenses i.e. you purchased the license through Microsoft store. That does carry transfer rights. If that is the case, please see the below steps:

Run the activation troubleshooter on the new device using the below steps:

Go to Settings>Update and security>Activation and run the troubleshooter.

Select I recently changed hardware on this device.

Please note that Activation troubleshooter requires you to have digital license linked to Microsoft Account.

Alternatively, if that does not help, you would have to call Microsoft Support.

Contact Microsoft using the phone numbers below or use the chat support link(weekdays only)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/405170...

https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/...

Please let us know if you need any assistance.