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After replacing a faulty motherboard, i cannot activate windows. it says my product key is invalid...
Can you give some background details about the licence you have.
Open a Command prompt and enter slmgr /dlv [press return] and post a screenshot of the result.
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Hi,
If it is a purchased license—originally for Windows 10 or 11—can you try activating it after a hardware change?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activation/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change
Or
Is it a physical 25-digit license?
Thanks.
I had purchased 2x Win Pro 11 64Bit Eng Intl 1pk DSP OEI DVD Version 23H2 from Makro. I had installed them on PC's and both motherboards went faulty over time. I have since replaced the one motherboard and cloned the SSD onto an NVME ( After installing a new motherboard ) both the original SSD and NVME won't allow activation of Windows ( it was originally activated and working on the SSD before the motherboard went faulty and replaced ) it says the product key is invalid ( both ). Microsoft support tells me the key i was using is for Win 10 RTM Professional OEM and the other is for Win 10 RTM Professional Cloud Retail on their system. I have attempted a clean install of both Win 11 and 10 Pro ( they both accept the product key during installation, just the same activation error is experienced ( it's a problem with the product key on the activation server )... I'm guessing my only answer is to buy another license after I had already bought two and have not had much use thereof, if I want to continue running Windows. I'm seriously thinking about installing a different OS, I'm not prepared to buy a new license for Windows every time I have to change a motherboard or hard drive...
Hi,
I understand, and I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. In this case, I believe the version you would use is Windows 10 RTM Professional Cloud Retail. Have you already contacted Microsoft chat? Did they say the key couldn't be used?
The reason is that you wouldn't be able to use an OEM key on different hardware, whereas a Retail key can be used.
Thanks.
The first time I contacted Microsoft Support they were not very helpful, the second time an individual named Shreyanshu did their utmost to resolve the issue... correct, I have since found out that a DSP OEM license dies with the motherboard ( not transferable being bound to the motherboard it was installed with purely ) however a retail license is transferable... this is now what I'm looking at obtaining. Thank you for the feedback...
Hi,
Since you own a retail license, you can use it; I recommend contacting Microsoft support again and providing the retail license you have to attempt activation.
Alternatively, you could install Windows 10 using that retail license; if it activates successfully, you can then upgrade to Windows 11.
Thanks.
The two licenses I have are Win Pro 11 DSP OEI (OEM) according to the packaging / COA ( Certificate of authenticity - the sticker with the product key ) however show up as Win 10 and different license type on Microsofts' side ( perhaps because Win 10 & 11 share the same database for product keys apparently ~ not sure how the license type gets mixed up too ) I've tried a clean installation with both Win 11 and Win 10 ~ it accepts the product key during installation however won't activate after installation and says the product key is invalid ( because it is DSP OEM and the license is not transferable being bound to the motherboard of the PC it is originally installed on purely ) and doesn't state why exactly... I've ordered a Windows 11 Pro Retail keycard from Makro, and shouldn't sit with the same issue again... thank you for taking the time to assist and your input.
Hi,
Regarding the non-transferable OEM license: I was wondering if you had tried using the Retail version you purchased from Makro, and if the Microsoft agent was unable to activate it as a Retail license.
I'm glad you managed to activate it; you can always count on the Microsoft Q&A community. Have a great week.
Please consider rating the question (accepting the answer or not) and visiting the Microsoft Q&A community if you have further questions.
Thanks.
I think when you input the product key during installation it accepts the key to install Pro edition. If you do not input a product key it will install Home edition.
So as you have found an OEM licence is only usable on the first device it is installed on. So that licence has expired with the old motherboard.
The licence described by the support agent as Cloud Retail should has transfer rights. So you should only need one new licence.
Make sure you specify with Makro you want a Retail licence. You can check yourself using ShowKeyPlus from the Windows Store and enter the product key at Check edition in the app. This way you can make sure Makro are selling the correct licence.
To confirm a Windows 10/11 licence can be used to activate either OS so verify any product key in the app.
