Activation after motherboard change denied

geofelt · 03 Apr 2021

I recently made a major upgrade to my pc which involved motherboard,cpu,ram, ssd.
The license was windows pro retail, purchased from newegg.
The message said I did not have a valid digital license or product key.
It said the last product key(id:0330-80114-23156-AA5554) you entered can't be used on this copy of windows.
(0x803FA067)
I have successfully used this key on at least two previous versions of my pc.
It identified the product id as 00330-80114-23156-AA608
And the product key as XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-6XXTT
The key is correct as documented on my newegg receipt.
Looking now at the receipt, I see that I ordered windows 10 PRO OEM version.
That has not been an issue in the past.
winver shows version 1909 build 18363.1379

Am I stuck and have to buy a new copy of windows 10 PRO?
Must it be OEM or retail?
I really do not want to do a clean new install and have to reinstall all of my apps and settigns.

sygnus21 · 03 Apr 2021

In a nutshell, an OEM license can only be used the original machine. A retail license can be re-used on machines upgraded multiple times, and especially if used with on a PC that you use a Microsoft Account to sign into (Digital License).

Activation after motherboard change denied-windows-activated-digital-license.jpg

So, was the Windows product you bought OEM or retail? The package will say "OEM" if its an OEM version.

That said, you can also give this a go... Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10

spunk · 03 Apr 2021

I have successfully used this key on at least two previous versions of my pc......Looking now at the receipt, I see that I ordered windows 10 PRO OEM version.

You can call Microsoft and plead your case SOLVED: How to CALL Microsoft on the PHONE to Activate your Windows or Office Product – Up & Running Technologies, Tech How To's

Gurn Blanston · 03 Apr 2021

I've had success calling MS when I have changed motherboards (which is what I think the OS is locked to) because when I have done it, I haven't been able to get the same motherboard as a replacement. Explaining this to MS (in my case) will get it activated for you, unless you run into a real jerk, or try to do it too many times.

In my experience, if you are nice to the service rep, they are generally nice to you.

Superfly · 03 Apr 2021

geofelt said:

I recently made a major upgrade to my pc which involved motherboard,cpu,ram, ssd.
The license was windows pro retail, purchased from newegg.
The message said I did not have a valid digital license or product key.
It said the last product key(id:0330-80114-23156-AA5554) you entered can't be used on this copy of windows.
(0x803FA067)
I have successfully used this key on at least two previous versions of my pc.
It identified the product id as 00330-80114-23156-AA608
And the product key as XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-6XXTT
The key is correct as documented on my newegg receipt.
Looking now at the receipt, I see that I ordered windows 10 PRO OEM version.
That has not been an issue in the past.
winver shows version 1909 build 18363.1379

Am I stuck and have to buy a new copy of windows 10 PRO?
Must it be OEM or retail?
I really do not want to do a clean new install and have to reinstall all of my apps and settigns.

It's a retail key - strange that it says OEM on the receipt.

Code:

PID            : 00330-8xxxx-xxxxx-xxxx
Active SKU ID        : 4de7cb65-cdf1-4de9-8ae8-e3cce27b9f2c
Product Description    : Win 10 RTM Professional Retail

Clean install is not necessary to activate - just the key/digital licence needs to be accepted by the activation servers
I assume you installed the correct edition i.e Pro not Pro N etc?

JohnD · 07 Apr 2021

I had similar problems with a mobo and RAM upgrade. A long phone call to MS resolved it. ISTR I was eventually given a long code to enter and my digital licence linked to my MS Account was re-activated.

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change