Windows re-activation

Question

I recently changed my hardware and noticed I need my Windows is no longer activated, so after a bit of looking around I found the re-activation troubleshooter, clicked I recently changed my hardware, signed into my microsoft account that was previously linked with my digital retail licence. I then selected the checkbox for the device I'm currently using and submitted.

But it gives me the error message "We can’t activate your copy of Windows as the digital license for this device has already been used to reactivate Windows."

I double checked my Windows licence type using powershell slmgr /dlv and it tells me it is retail not OEM. So I should be able to re-activate it right?

This is the first time I've any major hardware upgrades since I got Windows 10 so I doubt it's an issue of re-activating too many times, in-fact I've never re-activated Windows before at all

Does anyone have any ideas on what the issue could be?

Answer 1

I recently changed my hardware and noticed I need my Windows is no longer activated, so after a bit of looking around I found the re-activation troubleshooter, clicked I recently changed my hardware, signed into my microsoft account that was previously linked with my digital retail licence. I then selected the checkbox for the device I'm currently using and submitted.

But it gives me the error message "We can’t activate your copy of Windows as the digital license for this device has already been used to reactivate Windows."

I double checked my Windows licence type using powershell slmgr /dlv and it tells me it is retail not OEM. So I should be able to re-activate it right?

This is the first time I've any major hardware upgrades since I got Windows 10 so I doubt it's an issue of re-activating too many times, in-fact I've never re-activated Windows before at all

Does anyone have any ideas on what the issue could be?

Your license is tied to your motherboard, so if that is what was changed

you need a new license.

Answer 2

Hi, I'm Bianca, an Independent Advisor.

I'm not sure if you already have tried this but I do not want to miss important troubleshooting steps. Please follow the steps on this link: https://support.microsoft.com/article/2c0e962a-...

I hope this helps. If not, let me know if this does not work or if you've tried this already. I might have another possible solution to try after this one.

Answer 3

Reinstall your Windows 10 to activate again.

First of all, backup all your important files.

Now go to: https://microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 and click on **Download tool now.**Take a USB of more than 8GB and plug it into the PC. Run the tool, click Create installation media...,and follow the rest of the steps.

When installation finishes, remove the USB and connect it to the infected device when it's turned off. Enter the BIOS of your computer. It requires a special key which should be pressed from your keyboard. Search the internet for the key using this format: <computer make and model> BIOS key. Press that key right before Windows attempts to boot. Now go to the Boot tab and change the Boot # 1 to your USB, and save changes and restart. It will boot into your USB.

Follow the rest of the steps on the screen and connect to the internet to activate your device again.

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Taken from a reply made by me and modified to answer the OP.