Motherboard Died - Windows 10 Activation

dlwmacgregor · 05 Oct 2016

So my motherboard died (I'm writing this from my wife's laptop) and I have to replace it.
I've replaced many motherboards in my long career and by far the Windows 7 replacements were the easiest.
But now that I have the free Windows 10 upgrade (from Windows 7) on the PC I'm wondering if installing the replacement motherboard will be equally as easy because of the "digital entitlement".
What will I find when I first boot up the new motherboard?
I was at 14393.222 when it failed.

lmaneke · 05 Oct 2016

The digital entitlement wont work even if it is the same model motherboard. Did you have a Microsoft account on your PC when it failed? Your Digital entitlement will be linked to your account if you did have a motherboard failure.

Once you install Windows 10 on the new board, login with your Microsoft account, then go to activation, and there is a button that says "troubleshoot". That will bring up the license and will tell you that it's activated on the old pc, and it will ask you if you want to transfer the license. Transfer it and you are good to go.

If you didn't have a Microsoft account, you may have to contact Microsoft on the issue.

EdTittel · 05 Oct 2016

If activation fails, you'll see a "troubleshoot activation" link on that screen. If you follow that link, and run the troubleshooter, one of the options is something like "I changed hardware on this device recently." If you elect that option, chances are decent that activation will then proceed successfully. You only need to contact MS Support to get an activation override if that fails. So please, try that first!
Good luck and HTH,
--Ed--

dlwmacgregor · 05 Oct 2016

Thanks Ed. That's encouraging. I'll update the forum when I get to that point.
Cheers.