Windows 10: Windows 10 reinstall on new hardware - activation error

Hi folks,

History:
a) Had Windows 7 (bought the DVD in a box with a genuine product key years ago) - was running fine.
b) Upgraded online to Windows 10 during the free upgrade period after W10 went general release.
So it was a digital license linked to my Microsoft account.
It ran fine until last week when I decided to move to new hardware.
Reasonably significant hardware change:
- Different motherboard
- More RAM
- Different Hard disks

Current State:
Had some issues coming up with an upgrade scenario to reinstall W10 on the new hardware, but thanks to some very helpful folks over in the Upgrade Forum here, I got that solved quick smart. Ended up creating a USB key to install from (new mobo has UEFI BIOS which is new to me)

W10 now installed fine, but I get an error trying to activate it:
"We can't reactivate Windows on this device. Try again later".
When I installed W10 I selected the "I don't have a product key" option as I believe it should then activate later against my MS account, but that's the bit that's broken.
(I did read somewhere that in my situation I could also provide my W7 product key at the prompt [which I still have] and that should work, but I haven't done that yet. Happy to reinstall and do that if that's what you guys think I should do, but would rather run this to ground first !)

As per the troubleshooting tips here, I have run the Activation troubleshooter. Contents attached to this message (I hope).

Any tips / suggestions much appreciated !!

Sal

:)

 

Activation problems after hardware changes and reinstallations.

Hi Meli,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I do appreciate your efforts and time.

Was Windows 10 activated before re-installing it?

Along with the suggestions provided by Greg, you can also refer the steps below.



The only hardware changes that can negatively impact activation status once you upgrade to free version are the changes to the:

• CPU
• TPM
• Motherboard replacement

The following changes are examples of hardware changes that will NOT impact the activation status:

• HDD/SSD
• Video card
• Adding extra memory

If you replace the CPU, TPM, or Motherboard you may have to re-activate but this will not require a purchase of Windows 10.

Why can't I activate Windows 10?:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/why-activate-windows-10

Get help with Windows 10 activation errors:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/activation-errors-windows-10

Can I clean re-install Windows 10 after upgrading?

Can I clean re-install Windows 10 after upgrading?

Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.

 

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.

 

Windows 10 will not activate Error code 0x803F7001


Possibly there can be the problem with Microsoft activation Server, so your Windows 10 is not activated. In this scenario, you need to wait and verify if it is the issue from Microsoft’s side. But if you are getting error code 0x803f7001, you can also try these steps:

1. Open Settings app. Then go to Update and security > Activation screen > Change product.
2. Type your Windows edition product key and click Next.
3. You’ll get We couldn’t activate Windows error message.
4. Retry steps 1-3 then type your 25-characters unique product key.
5. Wait for the process to complete, Windows 10 is activated.

Hope something helps this problem