Strange activation issue

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  1. Caledon Ken
    Posts : 30,189
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       New #21

    The MB are used and Win 10 was already installed.
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  3. PAFOS
    Posts : 34
    win10
    Thread Starter
       New #22

    Don't understand your comment as Windows software Is installed on the HDD's not on the Motherboard or that is the way I have understood it for the last 30 years !! or am I wrong ?
    regards
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  4. Caledon Ken
    Posts : 30,189
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       New #23

    That is where the software is installed but the activation servers for lack of a better word, fingerprint your system. It says Windows 10 was activated on this device.

    Interesting that you got two boards with Pro previously installed but system builders are more likely to go Pro. So I guess that is very possible.
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  6. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #24

    I'd bet money that the activation server knows which motherboard is which. Somebody at some point activated (likely did the free upgarde) that motherboard.
    Every PC that activates 10 Pro with a Digital License gets that same 3V66T code.
    Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions
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  7. PAFOS
    Posts : 34
    win10
    Thread Starter
       New #25

    I fully agree with your comments. So let me ask another question.
    Say i have a system pc that I build from scratch with new everthing. I then buy a Win 10 retail edition and install it on my system and get a digital licence granted so MS now knows all about my system and in particular the motherboard. After some time the MBO fails so I replace it with brand new one but not the same make or model and use the same installation media inputting the same key. Now as I am only allowed to have that key on one PC does MS delete the original digital licence from the old motherboard and assign it to the new system ?
    I think that systems that were updated from Win 7 or 8.1 having the 3v66t code have a digital licence forever attached to that MBO provided the same edition of Win 10 in installed at a future time.
    Cheers
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  8. dalchina
    Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #26

    Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10 | Tutorials

    If you made a significant hardware change to your device (such as replacing the motherboard) Windows 10 might no longer be activated. If you're running Windows 10 (Version 1607) and added your Microsoft account and linked it to the digital license on your device, you can use the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows.
    Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License | Tutorials

    - for starters...
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  9. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #27

    If it won't activate, then what dalchina posted is what you do. You use the activation troubleshooter to transfer the retail license to the replacement motherboard.
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  10. Bree
    Posts : 31,660
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #28

    PAFOS said:
    Don't understand your comment as Windows software Is installed on the HDD's not on the Motherboard...

    For activation purposes a machine identifies itself to the activation servers by its unique hardware ID. If that machine already has a digital license for the edition installed it will activate.

    The HDD plays no part in this hardware ID. The motherboard, cpu and bios play a large part...
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  12. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #29

    PAFOS said:
    Now as I am only allowed to have that key on one PC does MS delete the original digital licence from the old motherboard and assign it to the new system?
    The EULA states that you can only have 1 instance of Windows INSTALLED per license. It does not specify anything about the product key itself. The old motherboard will retain its digital license for Windows basically forever. As long as you remove the installation of Windows (not the activation / digital license) when the Windows is installed on the new motherboard, then you are in compliance with the EULA. Theoretically you could have hundreds of motherboards with digital licenses based on the same product key, as long as Windows was only installed on one of them at a time.
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  13. alphanumeric
    Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       New #30

    NavyLCDR said:
    The EULA states that you can only have 1 instance of Windows INSTALLED per license. It does not specify anything about the product key itself. The old motherboard will retain its digital license for Windows basically forever. As long as you remove the installation of Windows (not the activation / digital license) when the Windows is installed on the new motherboard, then you are in compliance with the EULA. Theoretically you could have hundreds of motherboards with digital licenses based on the same product key, as long as Windows was only installed on one of them at a time.
    Thats one of the best, most logical explanations I think I've seen so far.
    IMHO, this new Digital License scheme is a can of worms at best. It does have its advantages, lots of pitfalls too though.
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