Windows 10: Trouble Activating Windows After Hardware Change

Hey all, recently changed my motherboard out and was hoping to activate windows using my Microsoft account. Seems I have some sort of account issue, which may or may not be related to the work account I also have on the computer. When I go to Settings -> Activation -> Troubleshoot -> I changed hardware on this device recently I am able to sign in there. The problem though is the login just spins, and the window closes after a few minutes. No error or seems to popup. I try using Get Help support but it errors out saying I don't have internet. If anyone on here has had similar issues I

:)

 

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?

 

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:
  • Press I recently changed hardware on this device
  • Select the old computer in my Microsoft account
  • Says unable to reactivate windows - try again later - and links to here:
  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
  • I've been through it nothing is relevant or helps
• Have been trying for 3 days now - still not activated.

Anyone got any ideas or suggestions on what I can do?

Thanks

 

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