Windows 10: Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change

Discus and support Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change in Windows 10 Updates and Activation to solve the problem; I recently did a full hardware change on my computer except for my hard drive, and Windows 10 says it is not activated. I got this computer over 5... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Updates and Activation' started by PatBonner2, Aug 1, 2020.

  1. PATBONNER2
    PatBonner2 Win User

    Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change


    I recently did a full hardware change on my computer except for my hard drive, and Windows 10 says it is not activated. I got this computer over 5 years ago and upgraded to Windows 10 when it was available. Is there a way to fix this?

    :)
     
    PatBonner2, Aug 1, 2020
    #1
  2. NIKHAR_K
    Nikhar_K Win User

    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, Aug 1, 2020
    #2
  3. KALPANA SHANKARAPPA
    Kalpana Shankarappa Win User
    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.
     
    Kalpana Shankarappa, Aug 1, 2020
    #3
  4. RICHARDGUERZON
    RichardGuerzon Win User

    Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change

    Windows 10 pro won't activate after a hardware change.

    Hi legs0fsteel,

    You might want to check these suggested steps in Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.

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

    Please let me know if this helped you solve your current issue.

    Thanks and regards,
     
    RichardGuerzon, Aug 1, 2020
    #4
Thema:

Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change

Loading...

  1. Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change - Similar Threads - won't activate hardware

  2. Windows 10 - Hardware change but won't activate again

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Windows 10 - Hardware change but won't activate again: I am having major issues and would like to know if someone can help me as Microsoft doesn't seem to care.I've completely changed hardware/formatted SSD and reinstalled Windows, but whenever I try to activate it by using my MS account that has the license attached to it, it...

  3. Windows 10 - Hardware change but won't activate again

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Windows 10 - Hardware change but won't activate again: I am having major issues and would like to know if someone can help me as Microsoft doesn't seem to care.I've completely changed hardware/formatted SSD and reinstalled Windows, but whenever I try to activate it by using my MS account that has the license attached to it, it...

  4. Windows 10 - Hardware change but won't activate again

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Windows 10 - Hardware change but won't activate again: I am having major issues and would like to know if someone can help me as Microsoft doesn't seem to care.I've completely changed hardware/formatted SSD and reinstalled Windows, but whenever I try to activate it by using my MS account that has the license attached to it, it...

  5. Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Windows 10 won't activate after hardware change: After buying a new motherboard, cpu and ram and struggling to get it set up on windows 7 not realizing that it wouldn't run the 3.2 USB ports I eventually tried upgrading to Windows 10. The upgrade wouldn't work for some reason, so after more fighting with it to format my SSD...

  6. Windows won't re-activate after a hardware change

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Windows won't re-activate after a hardware change: I recently had to put my hard drive in another computer for maintenance purposes, and when I put my hard drive back in the original laptop, windows is deactivated. I used command prompt to find my original product key and tried entering it in, and it gave me the opportunity...

  7. Windows 10 pro won't activate after a hardware change.

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Windows 10 pro won't activate after a hardware change.: Hello all. Recently my motherboard died and I had a shop replace with a fresh board of the exact same model. After a while of using the PC again I noticed the ''activate windows 10'' watermark showed up in the corner. So I go to the security screen, troubleshoot and...

  8. Changed hardware, now windows 10 won't activate.

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Changed hardware, now windows 10 won't activate.: Changed motherboard and CPU, now windows won't activate. Troubleshooting doesn't work. I have my key, but how the hell can I activate it? error: 0xC0EA000A Pro Education edition....

  9. Windows 10 Pro won't activate after Hardware change

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    Windows 10 Pro won't activate after Hardware change: I have changed most of the Hardware in my PC and I knew it was bound to happen that Windows is going to throw a fit I found a guide that said to just troubleshoot it and to specify that a Hardware change has happend. There is no such button for me there. [ATTACH][ATTACH]...

  10. windows won't activate after changing my hardware

    in Windows 10 Updates and Activation
    windows won't activate after changing my hardware: so recently about a week ago my ram burnt because "it wasn't installed properly" despite it working properly on this system for more than 2 year, when i took it to the shop and figured out the problem and bought new ram at the store they offered to install it for free, I...