Windows 10 Activation

Question

Windows 10 Activation

Andrew Ryan 0

I had a PSU failure take out my motherboard on my prebuilt CyberPower PC. I've since replaced it and Windows is requesting I activate Windows 10. I tried to use the "I've recently changed hardware." However it doesn't work and paying full price for a new license makes no sense.

EmilyS726 273K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-08T21:24:58.49+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

1 answer

Your answer

EmilyS726 273K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-08T21:24:58.49+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Answer 1

A motherboard replacement is treated as a significant hardware change, so Windows 10 may no longer find the license that matched the original device.

For a prebuilt PC, if Windows was preinstalled, a new license may be required after a motherboard replacement. There is one exception path to try first:

Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
Select Troubleshoot.
If Troubleshoot does not fix it, look for the link to reactivate after a hardware change.
Use the same Microsoft account that was linked to the device before the hardware change.

If there is a valid product key that was previously used on that PC, try:

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
Select Change product key.
Enter the 25-character product key.

If the motherboard was replaced by the original hardware manufacturer (OEM), the PC should reactivate automatically. If it does not, check whether the OEM provided a COA card with a 25-character key and enter that key from Activation > Change product key.

If Windows came preinstalled on the CyberPower PC and the motherboard was replaced outside the OEM repair path, Microsoft support states that a new license may be needed.