Hardware Changes - Can't Activate Windows - Accidently Removed Device

Hello, so I have put myself into a situation where I'm afraid I may have to rebuy windows 10. Yesterday I had built a new computer with all new hardware. After installing Windows 10 on it, I discovered that my copy of Windows 10 is not activated even though I had logged into the same Microsoft account that has a digital license.

Not knowing the reason behind it at that time, I ended up removing the previous device (previous computer) that is linked to my Microsoft account. Then doing research after, found out about the troubleshoot and the "I changed my hardware on this device recently" option. However by that time it was too late as that device was already removed from the account. I also no longer have the old computer as it was sold.

I called Microsoft and it basically ended with them saying that there is nothing they can do and I just have to rebuy Windows. I unfortunately don't have any proof of purchase since this was an upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 a long time ago and I no longer have the product key for Windows 7.

However I just found out that I do have a backup of the previous installation of Windows 10 on my backup hard drive. I was wondering if maybe there is something in that that could be used to activate Windows 10 or provide the proof that support is requesting from me.

Anyone able to help me out with this?

Well that sucks. I no longer have the old pc. So I guess I'm stuck having to repurchase Windows and don't make this mistake again.

Trisuniel said:

However I just found out that I do have a backup of the previous installation of Windows 10 on my backup hard drive. I was wondering if maybe there is something in that that could be used to activate Windows 10 or provide the proof that support is requesting from me.

Anyone able to help me out with this?

You can restore the backup on any external drive and use A Windows key recovery software to get it back.
But You problem most likely comes from the fact that "It is a new computer"... If you can recover your old key.
Microsoft will activate your installation. As the Digital liscensing includes that your mobo may die. And a call to MS activation centers will get you back on track.

Unfortunately the key it recovered from my backup didn't work. Gave me an error regarding not having the digital license on the new computer. I ended up just rebuying Windows 10 again. At least now I have proof of purchase in my order history on Microsoft.

Before the proof of purchase would have been the product key I got when I first got Windows 7 as a kid living with my parents. They held on to the keys at that time but they no longer have them now.

You have a new Linux machine. ��