Activating Windows 10 After Replacing Hardware


  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #1

    Activating Windows 10 After Replacing Hardware


    Hello everyone! I have a question and I apologize if this has been discussed earlier. I am really confused about how activation now works with Windows 10. I hope someone can help me understand. Say I have a PC that had Window 7 with an OEM license installed, and then it was upgraded to Windows 10. I understand that the license is suppose to still be OEM which is fine. How does activation work if the hardware was changed due to a major upgrade eg. motherboard, HDD, graphics card etc? My understanding is that there is no key and that the license is linked to a Microsoft account and current hardware setup. I know in previous versions of Windows you would just go through a phone activation process to reactivate a new installation for the OEM license, but I am pretty sure it still used a product key to do that. It would ask how many other devices are using this product key and you would say zero and all was good. Can someone please shed some light on this issue for me? I would like to upgrade one our computers, but I am afraid to because I don't know how the activation works. I rather not have to purchase a new license if not needed. Thank you in advance for any assistance provided.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 928
    Win 10
       #2

    The motherboard is the deciding factor. New motherboard = New license. Remember the term in the EULA "for the life of the device". Device = Motherboard.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Porthos said:
    The motherboard is the deciding factor. New motherboard = New license. Remember the term in the EULA "for the life of the device". Device = Motherboard.
    I have to disagree with this answer. I have had motherboards fail numerous times and replacing them was not a problem under OEM. I just had to go through the activation process by phone. I just don't know how you can do the same now. It doesn't make any sense to me that if a mobo failed that it would require someone to buy a new license.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 633
    Win 10 Pro x64 1607 (Build 14393.953)
       #4

    Try call the MS helpdesk and explain your situation. I migrated from a Mac Pro 3.1 (2008) to a Mac Pro 5.1 (2012) with Windows 8 OEM on a SSD that I moved from the cMP 3.1 to the cMP 5.1. They have different MB's, so my Windows 8 was NOT activated anymore. Called MS, explained my situation and I got a new activation key.

    Good Luck with your call...

    Cheers
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,557
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
       #5

    From what I was told by an in person Dell tech, upgrading or replacing a motherboard with the current motherboard still works, you will need a new license.

    Now, if you need a replacement motherboard because it quit or failed in or out of warranty that you won't need a new license. You might have to call Microsoft and explain that your previous motherboard failed. The new motherboard may not be the exact replacement.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    ChrisRTech said:
    I have to disagree with this answer. I have had motherboards fail numerous times and replacing them was not a problem under OEM. I just had to go through the activation process by phone. I just don't know how you can do the same now. It doesn't make any sense to me that if a mobo failed that it would require someone to buy a new license.
    You are trying to argue two different points. In your original post, you were not talking about a hardware failure, were you?

    ChrisRTech said:
    How does activation work if the hardware was changed due to a major upgrade eg. motherboard, HDD, graphics card etc? My understanding is that there is no key and that the license is linked to a Microsoft account and current hardware setup.
    First, there is no link between activation and a Microsoft account. Second - at what point does you "upgrade" become a new computer? You "upgrade" motherboard, CPU, RAM, graphics card and switch to an SSD, but you claim it isn't a new computer because you kept the original case, power supply and DVD drive?

    Replace the motherboard - activation is going to be exactly the same process - call Microsoft and see if they will activate for your. They might - but probably won't.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,557
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
       #7

    NavyLCDR,

    I think he is talking about a failed motherboard but can't get the same exact replacement motherboard.

    I am basing this on my experience with dell. They replaced my motherboard without issue. No activation was required even after I did a clean install. This was on a windows 7 computer.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    You are trying to argue two different points. In your original post, you were not talking about a hardware failure, were you?
    It doesn't matter really. You are telling me if I built a custom machine and upgraded to Windows 10, bought a different mobo that Microsoft expects you to buy a new license each time this happens? That makes no sense. As I said before, I have done this plenty of times before and doing automated phone activation worked fine. The issue I am having is that there isn't a product key.

    Here is another question then. Say you had a Windows 7 PC that uses a Retail license and then you upgrade to 10? A retail license should allow me to install on another PC no questions asked. So how do you go about activating Windows 10 on a new PC with the retail license of Windows 10? Does it just activate without any issue, or are you suppose to first install Windows 7 again, activate, format, then install Windows 10 as a clean install?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #9

    ChrisRTech said:
    So how do you go about activating Windows 10 on a new PC with the retail license of Windows 10? Does it just activate without any issue, or are you suppose to first install Windows 7 again, activate, format, then install Windows 10 as a clean install?
    Supposed to first install Windows 7 again, activate it, then upgrade to Windows 10. That is what Microsoft is telling people to do. Or purchase a retail Windows 10 Product Key/license.

    Seriously, Microsoft never promised to give you Windows 10 for free for a new computer. They only offered to upgrade existing Windows 7/8/8.1 to 10 for free.
      My Computer


 

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