Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
When installing Windows 10, the digital license associates itself with your device’s hardware. If you make significant hardware changes on your device, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows will no longer find a license that matches your device, and you’ll need to reactivate Windows to get it up and running.
To activate Windows, you’ll need either a digital license or a product key. To find out which you need, see “What activation method do I use, product key or digital license?” Then, use the following info to help you successfully prepare for a hardware change and reactivate Windows 10.
Prepare your Windows 10 device for a hardware change
First, follow these steps to find out if Windows 10 is already activated.
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .
If you’re not activated, complete the activation process with the steps you see on the Activation page. If you experience an error while activating, see Get help with Windows activation errors.
Once you’ve confirmed that Windows 10 is activated, follow these steps:
Link your Windows 10 digital license to your Microsoft account. Very Important!!!
In Windows 10 (version 1607 or later), it is essential that you link your Microsoft account with the Windows 10 digital license on your device. Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license allows you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change.
First, you’ll need to find out if your Microsoft account (What is a Microsoft account?) is linked to your Windows 10 digital license. To find out, select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security and then select Activation . The activation status message will tell you if your account is linked.
| Activation status | Description |
|---|---|
| Windows is activated with a digital license | This means that your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license.Follow instructions for Add an account. |
| Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account | This means that your Microsoft account is already linked to your digital license.No further action is required. You are ready to use the activation troubleshooter. |
If your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license, follow these steps to Add an account:
- Sign in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account. To confirm that you’re using an administrator account, select the Start button, then select Settings > Accounts > Your info . Under your name, you’ll see Administrator. If you’re not an administrator, see Create a local user or administrator account.
- Confirm that the administrator account is also your Microsoft account by checking to see if an email address is displayed above Administrator. If an email address is displayed, this is a Microsoft account. If not, you’re logged in using a local account. If you don’t yet have a Microsoft account, see How to create a new Microsoft account.
- Once you confirm that you’re an administrator and using your Microsoft account, go back to the Activation page, select Add an account, enter your Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in.
After your Microsoft account has been added, the message on the Activation page will change to Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
Confirm your Windows 10 edition.
Make sure that the edition, Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro, is the same before and after your hardware change. Your digital license and product key will reactivate only if the edition remains the same.
You can see your edition on the same Activation page where you checked your activation status. To see which edition you have, select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
Reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change
When you’re ready to reactivate, make sure that your device is connected to the internet and then follow the steps for either a digital license or product key.
Run the Activation troubleshooter.
You’ll need to first add your Microsoft account and link your account to the digital license on your device. After linking your Microsoft account, run the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows 10.
This troubleshooter will only be available if your copy of Windows 10 (version 1607 or later) isn’t activated.
To use the Activation troubleshooter:
- Sign in as an administrator.
- Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Troubleshoot . The troubleshooter will show Windows can’t be activated on your device.
- Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then select Next.
- Enter your connected Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in. The troubleshooter will only work with the connected Microsoft account.
- From the list of devices that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the check box next to This is the device I’m using right now.
- Select Activate.
If you don’t see the device you’re using in the list of results, make sure that you signed in using the same Microsoft account you associated with the Windows 10 digital license on your device.