Windows 10: Windows asking me to activate after changing motherboard

I purchased my genuine copy of Windows 7 back in 2015 and have upgraded to windows 10 when it was free to do so. Recently my computer broke down because the motherboard was malfunctioning. After changing the motherboard, I start seeing the watermark asking me to activate windows. I also got limited functions regarding to the personalization of my account. Please advise what I can do. I couldn't find the box for my windows 7 as it was bought too long ago. Thanks.

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Windows 10 asks for activation after motherboard change

Hey there,

I have had to change my desktop's motherboard after it started to fail up to a point where I had trouble with starting it up and backing up my files via USB.

After I changed the motherboard, windows keeps asking me to activate it which confused me because I thought I already activated it over a couple of years ago.

I tried to use the troubleshooter which lead me to the option to activate windows after a hardware change, however, it could only find my laptop, not my desktop. My desktop was signed in with my Microsoft account before and after the upgrade, so I assumed
it would recognise it.

I am currently at a loss here, does anyone have any suggestion on how to fix this?

 

Activate Windows 10 after motherboard change

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I built the PC myself and it is\was a retail Windows 8 Pro license upgraded to 10.

The guide listed that I should be able to transfer the license, and following the steps given when selecting "I recently changed hardware" in the activation process it does not list my previous device to select from.

My Microsoft account is logged in on both my old and new motherboard, and my old motherboard is unable to boot at all to deactivate or retrieve any keys.

If my license is indeed available for transfer, how can I proceed from here?

Thanks.

 

Changing motherboard and Windows

assuming you have the same SATA controller (and set to the same mode, EG IDE/AHCI/RAID) it will just install your other drivers, ask to reboot and then likely ask you to activate.



To be honest, its best to reinstall windows when you change hardware like that.