Windows not Genuine after upgrading motherboard

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Rain7x

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Dec 26, 2015
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After upgrading all the components except the hard drive in my PC, I put it in the new case and started it up. Everything was fine until Windows told me my copy of Windows wasn't genuine, so I did some looking around and was told to do a clean install. I did so and now it's still telling me Windows is not genuine. I have been trying everything, I've gone through the Microsoft customer support , told them my install key, and it told me it wasn't valid. I have tried everything and it still will not work. Any suggestions?
 
Solution
rujoesmith
Assuming it is windows 10, the activation is usually tied to the motherboard. Sometimes it is a combination of the cpu or other components, im not sure how to tell. In any case, since you replaced nearly every component, the windows 10 activation is unfortunately no longer valid.

You will either need to purchase a new copy of windows 10 or use a windows 7/8.1 key that has not yet been used to upgrade to windows 10.
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rujoesmith

rujoesmith

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Jun 27, 2010
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Assuming it is windows 10, the activation is usually tied to the motherboard. Sometimes it is a combination of the cpu or other components, im not sure how to tell. In any case, since you replaced nearly every component, the windows 10 activation is unfortunately no longer valid.

You will either need to purchase a new copy of windows 10 or use a windows 7/8.1 key that has not yet been used to upgrade to windows 10.
 
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kin2son

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Jan 2, 2016
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Is this for real?

I too just upgraded my motherboard, CPU and RAM (everything else is the same) and now my Windows 10 is not activated.

Why should I have to purchase another copy? That makes no sense....
 
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BrandX

BrandX

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Aug 30, 2013
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If your copy of Windows is an "OEM" then it is a single-use copy non-transferable copy, tied to the motherboard. If it is a retail copy (ie, bought from a shop or from Microsoft at full price) then the license can be removed from the old PC and transferred to the new PC.

Chances are yours is an OEM in which case you'll need to buy a new copy. If you're low on funds, message me and I'll point you to a cheap genuine copy of Windows 7.
 
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kin2son

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Jan 2, 2016
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Actually I purchased Windows 8.1 via MS site with a legit key and was upgraded to 10 after....so mine isn't an oem copy then?

If so can you please kindly advice how and where can i have the license transferred? Thanks in advance.

 
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BrandX

BrandX

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TBH I really don't know how to find the license on Windows 8. On Windows 7 it's simple, you just click on System Properties and your activation ID is displayed, telling you the license-type installed. That's all changed in Windows 8. If you downloaded the copy of Windows, you should find that the details of your purchase are in the email they sent you; there you can check if the version you bought is transferable. Or you could download Jellybean keyfinder.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/four-places-find-windows-8-product-key/
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/how-do-you-transfer-windows-8-licence-to-a-new/1424b725-4aa2-4c93-a559-1b35542d72a7
 
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kin2son

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Jan 2, 2016
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I've got the product key in my email when I purchased the license.

I found this article - http://windowsreport.com/windows-8-license-transfer-to-new-computer/

According to step 3 I have to uninstall the key from the old computer first, such pain in the butt as I've pulled the old mb out and in goes the new.....
 
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ExtremelyGeeky

ExtremelyGeeky

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Jan 2, 2016
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You can try ProduKey you might have better luck with that for getting your key...that is of course used on a system that is working...however you could connect the drive that had your windows key on it, to a working computer using a HDD dock, and run the software but then be careful to take note of all the keys it will give you as you don't want to mistake one for the other...

Or, as BrandX said, you can look for that confirmation email...

Or you can contact Microsoft and ask for help..
 
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pug_s

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Mar 26, 2003
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You can try installing back to Windows 8.1, installing service packs, and upgrade to windows 10. I've recently had to replace a bad motherboard for my friend's Dell PC recently and I had to manually install windows 7 and upgrade. I've contacted Microsoft and that's what they told me.
 
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kin2son

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Jan 2, 2016
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Thanks for the suggestion.

Funny thing is when I go to the Windows 10 activation screen it lists the last 5 characters of the current key and that's different from the original Windows 8 key that I purchased via the MS site....unless somehow the key has been changed when I got that free Windows 8.1->10 upgrade?
 
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pug_s

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I doubt that would work. If you don't want to mess up your current install, get a spare hard drive, install windows 8.1 and go to the upgrade route. Your motherboard should be activated with Microsoft and you can plug in the original hard drive in it.

 
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pug_s

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Mar 26, 2003
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You can try, but if you brought windows 8.1, they support windows 8.1, not the upgrade to 10. They wouldn't help me out when with my updated windows 10 dell computer with a replaced motherboard (with the same model too.)

 
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kin2son

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Jan 2, 2016
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I downloaded it and the installed key shown is different from the original key. Not sure what causes it....
 
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