Windows 10: Windows 10 got deactivated after i changed hardware, proof of purchase is lost.

I changed the hardware on my windows 10 pc and now windows are deactivated, so I called Microsoft and they say that they require proof of purchase of the windows key. I bought the key many years ago and have no idea if it was physical or digital or where I bought it but I do know that it wasn't upgraded from a windows 7 pc

:)

 

Activate Windows 10 after a hardware change !

That depends on what type of license you have of Windows 7/8/10.

If Windows 7/8/10 came preinstalled on the computer, that is called an OEM license. For an OEM license, the license dies as soon as Motherboard dies. So essentially it is non-transferable. If that is the case you need to get a new license.

However, this is not same for retail licenses i.e. you purchased the license through Microsoft store. That does carry transfer rights. If that is the case, please see the below steps:

What you need to do is to grab the key using any Software like Showkey Plus, uninstall that key from older PC and use it on another computer.

Download Showkey Plus:

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Help Forums

Uninstall the keyHow to deactivate Windows 10 and change the product key

Use the key by Showkey Plus on the newer computer.

Alternatively, there are two more options available other than this:

• Contact Microsoft at http://www.support.microsoft.com/contactus through chat support. They would take control of your PC and activate(might need a proof of purchase)
• Use the Activation troubleshooter on the new PC signed in with same MS account.
  
  Go to Settings>Update and security>Activation and run the troubleshooter.
  
  Select I recently changed hardware on this device.

 

Lost Proof of Purchase

Hey,



My E71 just recently decided to give me a black screen. After all the basic troubleshooting failed to resolve it I phoned the care centre. They're asking for a proof of purchase when I deliver it to the repair centre but I quite sure I've thrown out all
the boxes and what not. What do I do?



Note: The phone purchase is recent and well within the warranty (even checked it using the warranty checker tool) and it was purchased from a retail store (Big W).





Thanks in advance for any assistance

 

Windows 10 reactivation after a hardware change

Activation depends on what type of license you have of Windows 7/8/10.

If Windows 7 came preinstalled on the computer, that is called an OEM license. For an OEM license, the license dies as soon as Motherboard dies. So essentially it is non-transferable. If that is the case you need to get a new license.

However, this is not same for retail licenses i.e. you purchased the license through Microsoft store. That does carry transfer rights. If that is the case, please see the below steps:

What you need to do is to grab the key using any Software like Showkey Plus, uninstall that key from older PC and use it on another computer.

Download Showkey Plus:

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Help Forums

Uninstall the key

How to deactivate Windows 10 and change the product key

Use the key by Showkey Plus on the newer computer.

Alternatively, there are two more options available other than this:

• Contact Microsoft at http://www.support.microsoft.com/contactus through chat support. They would take control of your PC and activate(might need a proof of purchase)
• Use the Activation troubleshooter on the new PC signed in with same MS account.
  
  Go to Settings>Update and security>Activation and run the troubleshooter.
  
  Select I recently changed hardware on this device.