Windows 10: How can I put my digital license back on my Windows 10 PC after a significant hardware change?

I have tried the trouble shooter, I've made sure my pc was set as my main PC, removed all other PC's, tried a few of my other codes from old windows versions in storage, and it still says to activate windows and I've not seen one bit of info about where my digital license has gone. I've had an activated windows 10 device for over 7 years now i believe. I'd like it back because $100 for windows 10 again isn't in the cards

:)

 

Transferring Windows Digital License after significant hardware change

I've significantly upgraded my PC (new motherboard, storage), to the point where Windows 10 doesn't recognise it as the device I had my Windows 10 digital license on. When I go to settings - activation, I get error code 0xc004f213 which states no product
key was found on this device (I'm signed into my microsoft account which has the digital license from before). I proceed to trouble shoot, and then click I recently changed hardware on this device. It proceeds to take me to a screen which lists my devices,
but it only shows my Laptop which is running a separate product key/digital license (I bought windows 8.1 for my laptop and took the free upgrade, whereas this desktop PC was on windows 7 before I upgraded to 10). My PC isn't showing on this list.

I've been using this guide How to reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change

So how do I go about re-activating my Windows 10 Digital License on this device? Also, is livechat only open at certain times? because I've been trying to find it but I get directed to this forum and a phone number instead.

If this classes as a new PC due to the motherboard change do I need to buy a new version of Windows? If so, then is the license fixed to my old motherboard?

 

Windows 10 Digital License Activation not working after hardware change.

From the MS site:

"Digital licenses are associated with your hardware and linked to your Microsoft account, so there's nothing you need to find on your PC. You're all set once your PC is connected to the internet and you log in to your Microsoft
account.

Hide all
First time installation and activation on a new device or motherboard
Activate after reinstalling Windows 10
Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change

When you make a significant hardware change to your device, such as replacing the motherboard, Windows 10 might no longer be activated.

Make sure you associate your Microsoft account to your digital license to prepare for hardware changes. The association enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter if you make a significant hardware change later. For more
info, see Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.

If you don't have a digital license, you'll use a product key to activate. "

I already had a product key given to me from OnTheHub. MS states that product key gets turned into a digital license:

[table][tr][td]Buying a digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer[/td][td]Product keyFind your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.A digital license will be given to your device for Windows 10 based on the valid product key you entered.[/td][/tr][/table]

Furthermore, this PC did not have a preinstalled Windows 10. This was not a prebuilt PC and I have used this version on Windows since I built it in 2016.

 

Can't reactivate a digital windows linsence after a hardware change

What I find frustrating is that the 2nd link from Microsoft directly contradicts itself.

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support

First it says: When installing Windows 10, the digital license associates itself with your device's hardware. So, if you make significant changes, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows will no longer find a license that matches
your computer.

Then halfway down it says: If you previously linked your Microsoft account to your digital license, you can use the Activation troubleshooter to help reactivate
Windows after a significant hardware change.

I linked my Microsoft account with my digital license a year ago when I built my PC cause I had issues with the ports on my old motherboard and knew I would be swapping
it out at some point. I wanted to take the necessary steps before doing so.