Windows 10: Windows 10 reactivation on new hardware

Built my own PC earlier this year, purchased Windows 10 on the Windows store. I installed Windows on this PC through a boot USB using my old laptop. I have order number and exact date of purchase. Upgraded to a new CPU/Motherboard on 29 November 2019. Ran just fine until today, 30 November 2019. In the "Activation" screen it has a yellow text "Windows reported that no product key was found on your device. Error code: 0xC004F213" so I went through the troubleshooting system and my PC doesn't show up in the system. I dug a bit deeper and got into this support page https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10738/windows-10-get-help-with-activation-errors scrolled down to see my error code and it says "A Windows license is associated with your device hardware. If you make significant hardware changes, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows won’t be able to find a matching license the next time you start your device. If Windows was preinstalled on the device and you have made a change such as replacing the motherboard, you'll need a new license." Or what I was understanding, "you are required to purchase Windows 10 again for this new motherboard." I keep scrolling and it just runs me back to the "Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change" support page that is less than no help. Yes I am signed into the same account as the one I was signed into on the old motherboard. I do not know of any product key going through my email, did a search with no luck in the "all mail" box. Any help GREATLY appreciated!

:)

 

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.

 

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.

 

Reactivating Windows 10 on new hardware?

For hardware change in case of Retail License -

To Reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change, refer to following Microsoft Help -

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