Windows 10: Can't activate windows after changing motherboard - even after buying a new copy!

Hi. My motherboard died on me a few days ago. I ordered a new one and at first everything was fine. Unfortunately that one turned out to be faulty so I returned it and got another one and now the hardware is fine, but windows won't recognise my copy as authentic. And nothing I do helps! Going to settings->activation I see this: Hitting Troubleshoot I get this: Clicking on I recently changed hardware on this device takes me to: Clicking on see other devices linked to your Microsoft Account is also completely useless: By the way, that is also false. The device was registered on Windows 11.

:)

 

Will I have to buy a Retail Windows 10 copy if i change my motherboard?

OEM copies of windows are tied to the motherboard, the license dies as soon as you change your motherboard.However a small hardware change like Hard disk swapping wouldn't make your license die.

So in short, Changing motherboard=Buy a new copy of Windows 10

 

Can't activate windows 10 after changing motherboard

Hello,

I can't activate my windows 10 license after changing my motherboard.

The license I have is a Windows 7 Pro license, that got changed into a Windows 10 license, when the upgrade was free.

Steps I took previous to the motherboard change:

- I linked my Microsoft account with my device, so that my license is registered under my account (it showed up with my mail in the accounts section)

Now, with the new motherboard built in, I can't activate Windows 10 anymore.

I tried the support steps listed by the Microsoft helper (Activation -> Click Troubleshoot), but that did not work.

In the Activitation settings I get the error code: 0xC004F213

Does anybody know a solution for this, as I haven't found one so far.

 

Windows 10 License (after motherboard change)

Hi Harsh,

Please be informed that your copy of Windows 10 should get activated automatically after changing the motherboard (once you enter the linked Microsoft Account details). But if you face any issues,
I suggest you to go through Phone activation to activate your Windows 10 copy.



To run Phone activation please follow the steps below:

• 
  Press Windows + R key.
  
• 
  Type slui 4 and hit enter.
  
• 
  Select the Country or
  Region.
  
• 
  Follow the on screen instructions.
  

Hope this helps. Please respond if you have any further related query.



Thank you.