Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change
Select Product Version
In Windows 10 (Version
1607 or later), you can link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 digital
license on your device. This can help you reactivate Windows using the Activation
troubleshooter if you make a significant hardware change later, such as
replacing the motherboard.
Note
To see what version of Windows 10 your PC is
running, select the Start button , then select Settings > System
> About.
To add your Microsoft
account and link it to the digital license:
1.
Select the Start
button, select Settings > Update & security
> Activation > and then select Add an account.
You must be signed in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account.
2.
Enter your Microsoft
account and password, and then select Sign in. You’ll also need to enter
the password for your local account if the Microsoft account you entered isn’t
a connected account.
3.
After you add your
Microsoft account, you’ll see Windows is activated with a digital license
linked to your Microsoft account on the Activation page.
Note
If you've already added your Microsoft account
to your device, you'll see Windows is activated with a digital license
linked to your Microsoft account on the Activation page.
Using the Activation
troubleshooter after a significant hardware change
After you add your
Microsoft account and link it to your digital license, you can use the
Activation troubleshooter to help reactivate Windows after a significant
hardware change.
Note
If you didn't add your Microsoft account and
link it to the digital license on your device, you won't be able to use the
Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows after a hardware change.
1.
Select the Start
button, select Settings > Update & security
> Activation , and then select Troubleshoot. You must be
signed in as an administrator.
2.
The troubleshooter will
show a message that Windows can’t be activated on your device. Select I
changed hardware on this device recently, and then select Next.
3.
Enter your Microsoft
account and password, and then select Sign in. You’ll also need to enter
the password for your local account if the Microsoft account you entered isn’t
a connected account.
4.
From the list of devices
that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the device that you’re
currently using, select the check box next to This is the device I’m using
right now, and then select Activate.
If you don’t see the
device you’re using in the list of results, make sure that you’re signed in
using the same Microsoft account you linked to the Windows 10 digital license
on your device.
If you’re signed in using the correct Microsoft
account, here are some additional reasons why you can’t reactivate Windows:
- The edition of Windows on your device doesn’t match the edition of Windows you linked to your digital license.
- The type of device you’re activating doesn’t match the type of device you linked to your digital license.
- Windows was never activated on your device.
- You reached the limit on the number of times you can reactivate Windows on your device.
- Your device has more than one administrator, and a different administrator already reactivated Windows on your device.
- Your device is managed by your organization and the option to reactivate Windows isn’t available. For help with reactivation, contact your organization’s support person.