activate windows after hardware change

Question

I installed a new processor and now windows will not activate

Answer 1

Please try to check the type of license installed on your system.

1. Open administrative Command Prompt.
2. Type slmgr /dlv and press Enter key.
3. Note the Product Key Channel section Windows Script Host box:

• If it mentions OEM <method>, you’ve OEM license installed.
• If it says Retail, you’ve retail license installed.
• If it mentions GVLK, VOLUME_<method> then you’ve volume license installed. Note that GVLK stands for Generic Volume License Key.

So if you've OEM license, it is lost due to motherboard replacement. Changing motherboard requires new license.

If you've Retail license, you reactivate it again with its product key.

You may also run Activation Troubleshooter and select I changed hardware on this device recently.

Let us know if this helps!

Answer 2

Hi,

Do you have a digital key or a physical one?

Try the activation procedure for re-activation after a hardware change:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activation/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change

Do you happen to know what type of license you have—OEM or Retail?

Thanks.