Activate windows after motherboard and CPU upgrade

Question

I installed a new motherboard and CPU. I switched from intel to AMD. When I log into my microsoft account Windows is not activated and gives me the watermark. I have followed all of the instructions, including, troubleshoot>new hardware> and it does not see any devices on my account. I found my receipt from a few year back when I purchased windows 10/11 Home from the Microsoft Store but there is no product key.

Answer 1

In this case, you can contact Microsoft support and they should be able to help you to complete the activation.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/support/

Answer 2

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

Since you bought Windows from the Microsoft Store, it may have been a digital license tied to the Microsoft account used during purchase. It is also normal that the receipt may not show a product key.

1. Just to confirm, are you signed in with the same Microsoft account that purchased Windows?
2. Also, is the installed edition exactly the same as the license, for example Windows 11 Home and not Pro?

Please also check Settings > System > Activation and tell me the exact activation error code shown there.

If the Activation Troubleshooter does not show any linked device after choosing “I changed hardware on this device recently,” please let me know. Thanks!