Windows activation problems after cpu and motherboard change

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Windows activation problems after cpu and motherboard change

James Thomson 0

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I recently changed my platform from my 11700f in an ASUS strix b560-G gaming Wi-Fi to a 14700kf in an ASUS tuf b760m Wi-Fi D4. I have my same SSD and didn't reinstall windows but now it says to go activate windows.

In the activation page in settings I am greeted by that error in the screenshot above. I have also tried the troubleshooting method and clicking I've changed my hardware but am met by the error shown below:
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Any help would be great as I am stuck. Thanks for your time!

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Answer 1

EmilyS726 221.7K Independent Advisor

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Wayne Rife 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T00:20:01.69+00:00

It was originally a win dow 7 upgrade. I have gone through all the steps suggested and can not get even to the point where i can buy another license. very frustrating.
Neil D 32,480 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-03-24T09:37:37.6066667+00:00

@Wayne Rife are you the original thread starter?
James Thomson 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T13:09:47.51+00:00

I initially bought a prebuilt which i first used my microsoft account with windows on in 2019. Then in 2023 I completely swapped to a new system. I don't remember buying a key for that, when I installed windows on it it automatically activated. It will have always been originally a windows 10 key however i got it.

So to summarise, I never remember buying a key, however i bought a prebuilt from alienware in 2019 which came with windows preinstalled. Every time i have swapped hardware since windows has automatically activated until now.
EmilyS726 221.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-24T13:11:56.0633333+00:00
So you've changed motherboard too before and it worked?

Can you please type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

slmgr /dlv

Then share a screenshot please. Thanks!
James Thomson 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T13:16:43.5066667+00:00

Hi thanks for getting back to me so quick, unfortunately I am out right now so I'll do this when I get home tonight but I did see this on another thread last night and tried it as well to check what type of key I have, it was a retail one.
EmilyS726 221.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-24T13:18:22.1233333+00:00

No problem. Whenever you are free.

If it is retail, I would need to know if the partial key is 8HVX7 or something else.
James Thomson 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T18:57:25.2866667+00:00

this is what i get when i type what you said into command prompt
EmilyS726 221.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-24T19:09:54.49+00:00

The partial key is generic license.

If you were on Windows 7 prebuild to begin with, I would assume this license used to be an OEM-COA-NSLP license, the standard license builders use.

Once you upgrade to Windows 10, it typically would turn into retail+generic key, indicating it is a digital license.

If memory serves me correctly, users could transfer it with this upgraded digital entitlment, but typically only once. I don't know if that was meant to be or a loophole, in fact, this is not possible since Sept 2023, unless your Windows 7 was a true Retail license, instead of OEM to begin with.

I fear you would have to buy a Windows 10 license in this case. Windows 10 is discontinued, Microsoft doesn't sell the license.I am afraid you would have to obtain it from market place /third party.
James Thomson 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T20:53:43.76+00:00

ok thanks for figuring that out for me! Shame about the outcome but I appreciate all the help.
EmilyS726 221.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-24T20:54:40.2066667+00:00

You are welcome James.
Wayne Rife 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T21:55:57.15+00:00

I am not the original thread, but I have the same problem and somehow after several frustrating days I found the same problem posted and somehow got in. I also have upgraded to new hardware because I can not upgrade to windows 11 on my old platform. I purchased windows 7 and ran with it till I had to upgrade to 10 and now 10 had run out and I need to go to 11. That is how long I have been running on that platform. This is the first time I have upgraded hardware and I had to fight the conversion from MBR to GTS for several days before I found the solution to get my window 10 running, then I notice I have to activate windows, and now have spent several days trying to solve that problem. I was finally able to see this thread and joined in.

I followed the instructions you gave out about cmd slmgr/dlv and my activation code comes out as 3V66T. do not see how to add in the results.
Neil D 32,480 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-03-25T22:42:21.2066667+00:00

@Wayne Rife The last 5 characters are from the generic Pro key. This is usually when Windows 7 or 8 has been upgraded to Windows 10 during the free upgrade period.

This has now been blocked and that licence cannot be used to activate windows any longer. Only an original Windows 10 licence can be used to activate Windows 11.

You will need to buy a new licence. Go to the windows Store and you should see the option to buy a Windows 10/11 licence for the device.

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Windows activation problems after cpu and motherboard change

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