Can't locate authentication code after replacing motherboard on machine to activate windows10 (pushing to upgrade to 11)

Question

I have recently replaced parts of my computer including the motherboard and after running windows for some years I am now getting a message asking for the authentication code for windows.

I had Windows 10 installed and it is asking for it to run windows 11 but the computer was built several years ago and I can not find the licensing/authentication key after all this time. I have looked online but using gmail storage was filled and many of the emails have been deleted to clear space. Earlier this year I bought Microsoft 365 for my studies, which can be seen as an authentic purchase and yet there is no way of contacting Microsoft to ask them to help. As I really don't want to have to buy again.

Answer 1

Thank you will try that...appreciate the quick response!

Answer 2

Hi,

windows activation is tied to the computers motherboard. If you change out the motherboard, it will deactivate windows.

To reactivate Windows, please use the steps described at the link below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665

Sincerely,

LightJack