OEM install errored, MS account activated

Used an OEM key for a new build but got the 0x87E10BCF error. My mobo is used. I tried a few solutions found online.

Logged into my MS account to try the key again but the cursor 'hung' with the wheel. Finally got disgusted and moved the mouse. Then Activation window said W10 activated "with a digital license linked to your MS account" & link to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ws-10-activate where it says "a digital license is associated with your hardware" and "there's nothing you need to find on your pc" ... "You're all set once your pc is connected to the internet and you log in to your MS account".

Additionally: "Note MS only keeps a record of your product keys if you purchased from the MS online store." Finally below that are links including 'Reactivate W10 after a hardware change'.


OK. I've read a lot from my searches here (95 threads from one) and learned some things but I'm not clear.

Q1: Should I want my key activated to this hardware, instead? Is the digital license as 'robust', no caveats, won't get wonky down the line?

Q2: Was using my MS account/Outlook & a PIN on my other W10 machine but would prefer not to on this new box. (The old one will be broken up for parts to sell BTW.) The PINs differ. Can I change to not use MS account/PIN?

Q3: That error seems to hit many people. Doesn't seem to be b/c of my used mobo. Should I try that 'Reactivate W10 after a hardware change'? (This is a "fresh" install, nothing to do w/my old pc, new key, but OEM.)


I can run the t-shooter but the new pc is showing W10 Pro, 64b. The date installed is wrong but ver 1903 is right.

Really unsure of what to do, if anything.


Thanks,

Mac

Mustachio said:

... Activation window said W10 activated "with a digital license linked to your MS account" ...
Q1: Should I want my key activated to this hardware, instead? Is the digital license as 'robust', no caveats, won't get wonky down the line?

First and foremost, the digital license is linked to the unique hardware ID of the PC. It is this that is stored on the Microsoft activation servers and linked to your digital license, The link to your MS account is an additional optional extra, but is not required. It is the hardware ID (mostly the motherboard) that is used to check you are licensed. The additional link to an MS account can help reactivate should your hardware ID change (eg, replacing the motherboard).

Q2: Was using my MS account/Outlook & a PIN on my other W10 machine but would prefer not to on this new box. (The old one will be broken up for parts to sell BTW.) The PINs differ. Can I change to not use MS account/PIN?

You could switch from using an MS account to a local account. But as this is a new box it is probably simplest to clean install again, this time setting it up with an offline local account from the start. See Step 24 in the Clean Install tutorial. You can skip entering a key as it will activate from your existing digital license on the activation servers.

Clean Install Windows 10

Switch to Local Account in Windows 10

Thanks Bree. Could I also ask: Is there any difference between a 'key' license vs. a 'digital' license? That I would notice? Effecting installation of MS software perhaps? Or concerning possible re-installation, in the future?

Mustachio said:

Thanks Bree. Could I also ask: Is there any difference between a 'key' license vs. a 'digital' license? That I would notice? Effecting installation of MS software perhaps? Or concerning possible re-installation, in the future?

Once a product key is used to initially activate Windows 10 it immediately converts to a digital license. (Except for some types of business volume licenses)

What NavyLCDR said. Even if you used a key to install W10, the activation servers don't record the key - just a digital license linked to the PC's hardware ID.

Thank you NavyLCDR.

I believe that tells me this authentication did use my OEM key, that any other MS licenses associated with my MS account are uneffected and that going forward the digital license acts the same as any other W10 Pro "tied" to this hardware.