Windows 10: Unable to activate Windows 10 using new desktop hardware

Hello there,


Yesterday I finished putting together all the new parts for my PC. I moved my old SSD over from the previous case to run Windows using the new hardware and was greeted to the "Activate Windows / Go to Settings to activate Windows." watermark that I had heard about.


After following the steps provided by the Virtual Agent, I attempted to reactivate Windows under my old desktop name and made it to this screen.


Windows should be detecting that I have changed the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and video card.


I was expecting the watermark to appear after changing essentially every part, but I'm not sure what I can do to replace it. The original build was a prebuilt I bought from Staples which came with Windows 10 installed but with no activation key or disc, so I had assumed it was linked to my Microsoft account in some way. As for the old hardware, I plan on getting rid of it but I still have it.


What do I need to do to reactivate Windows? Is there something I can do if I put the SSD back with the old hardware to confirm the change?


Thanks,


Trent

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

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

 

Windows 10 wont "Activate" after hardware upgrade

Hi, fcp4life,

Follow the steps listed in this Support Doc.

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/...

If you made a significant hardware change to your device (such as replacing the motherboard), Windows 10 might no longer be activated and you might see the activation error codes 0x803f7001 or 0xC004C008.

If your Original Hardware Manufacturer (OEM) changed the motherboard for you, your PC should reactivate automatically or you should be provided with a replacement product key. If you see the Activation error “Unable to reach Windows activation servers,” then
follow the steps in this additional help article.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/...