Hardware Switch

Question

Switched motherboards and now Office keeps asking for activation key.

Answer 1

Hello,

It seems that you have changed your motherboard.

Is your Windows license a retail license?

Also, is your Office license one that has a limit on the number of devices it can be installed on?

Answer 2

I'm sorry. I deleted my reply because it was a duplicate.

Answer 3

I'm sorry. I deleted my reply because it was a duplicate.

Answer 4

Significant hardware changes, such as replacing the motherboard, can cause both Windows and Office to lose activation.

For Windows:

• If Windows is not activated after the motherboard change, use the Windows Activation troubleshooter and, if needed, reactivate by entering the original product key as a new key:
  • Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
  • Choose Troubleshoot if available, then follow the flow for I changed hardware on this device.
  • If that fails, select Change product key and enter the original Windows product key.

For Office:

• If Office was activated using a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) from a volume license (often sold by third‑party resellers), hardware changes and reinstalls can quickly consume the limited activation count. When the MAK limit is reached, Office will keep prompting for a key and cannot be reactivated with that same key. In that case, the only supported resolution is to obtain a proper retail or Microsoft 365 license (for example, directly from Microsoft or an authorized reseller) and install/activate Office with that license instead of the old MAK key.
• If the Office license is legitimate retail (for example, Office Home & Student 2021 tied to a Microsoft account), and activation still fails after the hardware change, contact Microsoft support so they can review and, if appropriate, reactivate the license on the new hardware.

If Windows activation itself is failing after the motherboard change and the troubleshooter cannot resolve it, contacting customer support to have the license reactivated on the new hardware is also an option.

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References:

• Using the Windows Activation troubleshooter
• Why can't I activate Windows?
• Overview of volume activation of Office
• Can't activate Office - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to use troubleshooter for windows activation - Microsoft Q&A
• Windows reactivation fails - Microsoft Q&A