Windows 10: Unable to Activate Windows 10 After Hardware Change

Discus and support Unable to Activate Windows 10 After Hardware Change in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; I recently upgraded my computer hardware and during install it had me log into my microsoft account. It said it could not find a key that would work,... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by Payton Doyle, Nov 13, 2024.

  1. Unable to Activate Windows 10 After Hardware Change


    I recently upgraded my computer hardware and during install it had me log into my microsoft account. It said it could not find a key that would work, so after it finished I went to settings to try activating it again from there. Having bought a new license last time this happened 2020, I'm not keen of having to do that again. Logging into my account via browser shows that I have another activated device from before the rebuild. My account still shows the purchase but I am unable to relocate the key/link the account.

    :)
     
    Payton Doyle, Nov 13, 2024
    #1
  2. Nikhar_K Win User

    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, Nov 13, 2024
    #2
  3. Smitty3PM Win User
    Windows 10 Activation after hardware change

    • "You upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer, but Windows 10 isn't activated after a reinstall. Your copy of Windows 10 should automatically be activated so long as you didn't make any significant hardware changes to your device (such as replacing
      the hard drive or motherboard)."

    I just recently upgraded my motherboard, graphics card, and processor. Now my Windows 10 isnt activated anymore, and when i go through the steps to troubleshoot, it says the windows activation just says.



    Unable to activate Windows

    We can’t reactivate Windows on this device. Try again later.

    anyone have an answer to this please...
     
    Smitty3PM, Nov 13, 2024
    #3
  4. Unable to Activate Windows 10 After Hardware Change

    Unable to activate Windows 10 after hardware changes

    Hey guys,

    I need help, I've tried trouble shooter, and virtual helper, gotten no progress. I've upgraded my hardware with a new motherboard etc, but I'm unable to activate my windows 10.

    I originally bought windows 7, and upgraded it with the free upgrade to win 10 long ago. I changed my hardware, but I'm unable to see my current device when I select "I changed hardware" in the trouble shooter list of PCs. Not sure how to fix this, can anyone help?
     
    Darren2k34, Nov 13, 2024
    #4
Thema:

Unable to Activate Windows 10 After Hardware Change

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