Windows 10: Windows license key not activating after hardware change

Laptop user here. My old windows license key is not activating after installing windows on a different SSD. I have backup of previous license key, but it is not working now.My Microsoft account is showing 2 version of the same devicess attached.I tried all the methods shown on youtube or tech websites but none of them worked. How to solve this issue?The laptop motherboard was changed in past by a authorized service center, but removeable peripheralsssd, ram etc were unchanged.

:)

 

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

 

Changed hardware - lost activation key

Hi readymonster400

I'm Wilfredo S an Independent Advisor

This can happen due to various factors:

- If you had a license, an OEM license is pre-installed on your computer, this license is linked to your hardware so your license cannot be transferred.

- You must install the same version that you had if for example you had pro and installed home your license cannot be activated.

- Do you have a product key?

- What hardware is shown when you want to do the activation, do you recognize it?

- Do you have your Microsoft account linked to your license?

Please check these suggestions:

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

I hope it helps you

 

Activate Windows 10 after a hardware change !

That depends on what type of license you have of Windows 7/8/10.

If Windows 7/8/10 came preinstalled on the computer, that is called an OEM license. For an OEM license, the license dies as soon as Motherboard dies. So essentially it is non-transferable. If that is the case you need to get a new license.

However, this is not same for retail licenses i.e. you purchased the license through Microsoft store. That does carry transfer rights. If that is the case, please see the below steps:

What you need to do is to grab the key using any Software like Showkey Plus, uninstall that key from older PC and use it on another computer.

Download Showkey Plus:

https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/2577-showkeyplus.html

Uninstall the keyHow to deactivate Windows 10 and change the product key

Use the key by Showkey Plus on the newer computer.

Alternatively, there are two more options available other than this:

• Contact Microsoft at Contact Us - Microsoft Support through chat support. They would take control of your PC and activate(might need a proof of purchase)
• Use the Activation troubleshooter on the new PC signed in with same MS account.
  
  Go to Settings>Update and security>Activation and run the troubleshooter.
  
  Select I recently changed hardware on this device.