Windows 10: Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after Hardware Change

Discus and support Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after Hardware Change in Windows 10 Updates and Activation to solve the problem; Hi there, As the title states I am unable to reactivate my copy of Windows 10 after changing my motherboard and graphics card. I've read online that... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Updates and Activation' started by Polygondwana, Jul 5, 2019.

  1. Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after Hardware Change


    Hi there,


    As the title states I am unable to reactivate my copy of Windows 10 after changing my motherboard and graphics card. I've read online that it may not be possible to reactivate it due to the change in hardware acting as a brand new machine. I originally upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for free a few years ago so I believe I would have a digital license as opposed to a key?


    When I advance to the page where I select my device via the activation troubleshooting page it states 'Unable to activate Windows. We can't activate Windows on this device. Please try again later."


    I've also heard that there is something of an unwritten number of times Windows can be reactivated? I upgraded my hardware back in October but the hardware was faulty and I had to send it back. In the time I had that hardware there was nowhere that stated I needed to reactivate Windows 10. I only changed my graphics card at this time so I wonder if it was the more recent change of the motherboard that has made it an impossible task? I also had the thought that the first time I changed hardware added to that unwritten number of times that I could reactivate Windows and that I've now used them all up somehow - despite never using the hardware back in October for more than a few days before sending it back.


    I would appreciate any help and hope I've been clear enough.


    Cheers.

    :)
     
    Polygondwana, Jul 5, 2019
    #1
  2. Rose Cal Win User

    Windows 10 reactivation on hardware changes

    Hi Florea,

    It is possible that Windows won't be able to identify your computer correctly that is why the operating system is not activated. To address your issue, we suggest that you follow the steps in this
    article on how to reactivate your Windows 10 after a hardware change.

    Let us know if you need further assistance.
     
    Rose Cal, Jul 5, 2019
    #2
  3. KimberRoo Win User
    Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after hardware change

    Hi there,

    I recently upgraded system hardware including Motherboard and am unable to reactivate Windows 10 via the activation troubleshooter:

    I have tried removing my old PC configuration from the list of devices in my windows account but still no luck!

    • My windows account was linked to my PC prior to the change
    • Login in / out of my windows account has no effect
    • My version of windows was a free upgrade program from Windows 7, would this be an issue?
    Any help and ideas would be appreciated!

    Many thanks,
     
    KimberRoo, Jul 5, 2019
    #3
  4. Nikhar_K Win User

    Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after Hardware Change

    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, Jul 5, 2019
    #4
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Unable to reactivate Windows 10 after Hardware Change

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