Windows 10: windows activation failure after device removal from Microsoft account

I am having problems that probably stem from the fact that I did not get clear directions on what to do, so now I think I have mistakenly ruined my windows activation for good, please help.


I changed my motherboard and CPU lately, and today I noticed that watermark on the screen telling me to activate windows.

So I went to the settings and tried to activate it, it just kept asking me for a product key, which I dont have. I just bought win 10 and it got linked to my account I guess...


So I went onto my Microsoft account to look for answers there. Maybe I can find my product key there somehow?

What I found instead was that there where TWO devices linked to my account, instead of just one. They both had the same name, so I figured that Microsoft thought that me getting a new motherboard + CPU was me getting another computer.


So I thought that the most logical root cause of this problem probably was that I have paid for Windows Pro for one device, my account now has two devices... clearly I must remove the first device! right? So I did. Now there is just one device linked to my account. great.


But still windows was unable to activate!

The stupid support bot had no idea what I was trying to tell it and just kept telling me to call their call center that closed one and a half hours ago...



I kept clicking around and finally found the part where is says how to activate windows without a product key!

now I think what happened was that my "windows activation" diapered with my -now removed- linked device.



So I guess that means that my license is lost forever? Windows 10 Pro is expensive and I dont know if I can buy ANOTHER license...

Is there some way to fix this? or do I have to get used to being an Ubuntu user from now on?

:)

 

Remove account


I suggest you backup your personalized files first before removing the account.
To delete an account, follow these steps:

1. Press WIN + X keys and click Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
2. Type the following command and press Enter. Replace test with the name of your sister's account. Code:
   
   Code:

   net user test /del

 

Windows 10 Activation through Microsoft Account Fails

Just for the record, what account you log in with has no effect on activation. The "Linked to your Microsoft account" is just an optional extra. If you switch to a local account it will just say "activated with a digital license". Switch to a Microsoft account and it will say "activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account". You could do a clean install using an account you have never used before and it will still activate. As long as there is a digital license for that device on the activation server matching the installed edition, it will activate. The account used has no bearing on that.

And deleting / removing a device from the list won't affect activation. You just won't see it listed. Reinstall Windows 10 again latter on, on that device and it will be back in the list. That list is just another optional extra.

 

Unknown devices on my Microsoft account


Hello Flemmingk,

Could these other devices be from friends that you may have signed in to your Microsoft account on for something?

Either way, you can remove these devices.

*Arrow Microsoft Account - Remove Devices User Accounts Tutorials

Afterwards to be safe, I would recommend to change the password of your Microsoft account, and enable two-step verification if you haven't already.

Change Password of Account in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

Turn On or Off Microsoft Account Two-step Verification User Accounts Tutorials