Windows 10: Trouble activating windows after changing hardware.

Discus and support Trouble activating windows after changing hardware. in Windows 10 Updates and Activation to solve the problem; Hello, I just recently changed the motherboard and CPU in my computer. I had a retail windows 10 disc and product key that I used to activate windows... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Updates and Activation' started by flamingdonut141, Jan 6, 2020.

  1. Trouble activating windows after changing hardware.


    Hello, I just recently changed the motherboard and CPU in my computer. I had a retail windows 10 disc and product key that I used to activate windows on my SSD a year or two ago before this upgrade, and promptly linked it to my MS account. I can't seem to get the windows troubleshooter to work reactivating using my Microsoft account. It just says "unable to activate windows at this time". I have my product key with me, but using "change product key" doesn't work either. Any advice for what I can do? I tried calling in to support but it didn't really help, but I feel like that's about all I can try at this point.

    :)
     
    flamingdonut141, Jan 6, 2020
    #1
  2. HAT
    hat Win User

    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?
     
  3. Activation troubles after hardware chnage

    Here's what happened:

    • Linked my Windows 10 Pro Licence to my Microsoft account.
    • Switched out to a new motherboard, new install linked to my Microsoft account.
    • Activation has failed, (Error Code: 0xC004C003) when I try to troubleshoot:
    • Have been trying for 3 days now - still not activated.
    Anyone got any ideas or suggestions on what I can do?

    Thanks
     
    TobiasPreston, Jan 6, 2020
    #3
  4. Nikhar_K Win User

    Trouble activating windows after changing hardware.

    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
     
    Nikhar_K, Jan 6, 2020
    #4
Thema:

Trouble activating windows after changing hardware.

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