What hardware changes break Windows 10, and how do you reactivate?

If your logged in with a Microsoft Account, your Digital License will be linked to it. When activation fails, there will be a "Activation troubleshooter" option shown on the System page. You just click that.
Activation Troubleshooter - Use in Windows 10
Microsoft doesn't give specifics on what will trigger it. I'd just wait and see if it happens, then deal with it.

SchrodingersCat said:

I have been going through this issue and have been using the activation troubleshooter, even spoken to microsoft support, all to no avail. Microsoft up to now have insisted i buy a fresh copy of windows 10. still trying to get help from microsoft but they seem un willing to help.

What hardware did you swap and why? Was the original install the free upgrade to Windows 10 from another OS?

Ok, so it was the free upgrade. IMHO, that install is not transferable. The Windows 10 free upgrade is free for the life of the device. When the device dies, that license dies with it. It appears Microsoft thinks so to. Others will disagree with me but that's my opinion on the matter.
One thing you could try is reinstall Windows 8.1 with the 8.1 Retail key. You are entitled to do that. Make sure its activated, then upgrade to Windows 10. Last I heard Digital Licenses were still being given out. If so you may get a new DL for that motherboard. If that happens, from then on you can clean install Windows 10 with the skip key option and it will activate with the new DL optioned from the upgrade.

DiyFTW said:

Hello people of TenForums! Im new here, so I hope this is the right place to post this in ;p


Anyway, Im planning a new budget PC build, with plans to upgrade things like the CPU and GPU a few months after I build it (After I save up some more cash). I read that motherboard changes break basically any Windows install, but what other changes would classify the PC as a "new device", and how would I reactivate Windows 10 if one hardware change deactivates windows? (I plan on getting a retail version, not OEM, just so you know).


(In case anyone asks, I plan on upgrading the i3-6100 I am immediately grabbing with a used i5-6500 or mabye even a i5-7500, if I can afford it, and adding a GTX 1050 ti or RX 470, whichever I can afford then.)

A new key has no effect... transferring a digital licence does... CPU has a huge activation count less so GPU.. combined not enough to break DL tho' (as opposed to mobo that will require an MSA transfer)

SchrodingersCat said:

the original motherboard died, i originally installed windows 10 but activating with a unused retail windows 8.1 key .

A Win 8.1 retail key should activate Win 10 (of the same edition) on new hardware. Post in the activation thread and we'll see what's up.